Veekasutuse

Veekasutus refers to the management and use of freshwater resources by human activity. The term covers how water is sourced, allocated, and consumed across sectors such as households, agriculture, industry, and energy, as well as the return flows that re-enter water bodies after use.

Important concepts include water withdrawal and water consumption. Withdrawal is water drawn from a source for use; consumption is portion that is not returned to its source. The water footprint concept aggregates direct and indirect water use along supply chains. Measurements often distinguish blue water (surface and groundwater) from green water (soil moisture from precipitation).

In most contexts, agriculture represents the largest share of water use, particularly through irrigation. Domestic use covers households and public services, while industry and energy use water for processing, cooling, and generation. Efficiency and leakage management are common targets to reduce waste.

Governance of veekasutus typically relies on integrated water resources management (IWRM), aiming to balance social, economic, and environmental needs. Tools include water pricing and subsidies, demand-management programs, pollution controls, and investments in water supply infrastructure, treatment facilities, and environmental protection.

Challenges include growing demand, climate variability and drought, water quality issues, and aging infrastructure. Solutions emphasize water conservation, wastewater reuse, rainwater harvesting, leak reduction, and advanced monitoring and data-driven management.