A​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ new satellite-based study reveals a stark reality: Europe’s water reserves are drying up. Researchers from University College London (UCL), with Watershed Investigations and The Guardian, have analyzed data on land-water that spans the period from 2002 to 2024. In this study, the main focus is on freshwater storage that comprises groundwater, rivers, soil moisture, and glaciers. The findings show that the availability of these freshwater sources has dwindled across much of Southern and Central Europe.

Source: X

Alarming Declines Across the Continent

Changes in the Earth’s gravitational field detected by satellite measurements show an alarming picture. These are the places that recorded a major drop in the overall water storage: Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Romania, Ukraine, and some areas of the UK.

On the other hand, the areas to the north and north‑west, which include Scandinavia, Portugal, and some parts of the UK, have become wetter. The difference between the two extremes indicates that the European hydrological systems are becoming more and more unbalanced. Europe’s water reserves are drying up due to these reasons.

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Groundwater — Supposedly Resilient, Now Under Threat

Moreover, the researchers singled out groundwater in their study – a resource that is generally looked upon as one of the climate-resilient reserves – and they saw that its depletion reflects the continental trend.

As if this is not enough, the changing weather patterns are making it harder for nature to accomplish the recharge process. The question of how aquifers can be replenished is becoming more and more urgent, as it is increasingly found that in parts of Southeast England, where the public water supply is about 70% dependent on groundwater, the implications could be severe.‍‌‍‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌

Source: X

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Implications, Response, and the Way Forward

Combined withdrawals of surface and groundwater have been on the decline from 2000 to 2022, according to the data sourced from the European Environment Agency. Groundwater extraction has increased by 6% during the period, with public water supply contributing 18% and agricultural use 17%. Groundwater is still the core of water supply, as it accounted for 62% of the total public water supply and 33% of the irrigation and agricultural water needs in EU member states in ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌2022.

As​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ a result of these discoveries, the European Commission officials have emphasized the urgent need for a “water-smart economy.” The roadmap features measures such as increasing water-use efficiency by at least 10% by 2030 and dealing with the leakage of the water distribution system, which accounts for 8% to 57% of the member states. The authors of the research claim that the evidence serves as a “wake‑up call” for decision-makers.

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