A measure of demand on available water resources relative to supply. Determines the economic case for evaporation suppression and reservoir capacity retention.
Water stress is the ratio of water withdrawal to renewable supply in a given region. EU classification ranges from low (most of northern Europe) to extreme (southern Spain, parts of Italy and Greece). Water-stressed regions present the strongest economic case for floating covers: every cubic metre saved through evaporation suppression directly reduces operating cost and supports regulatory compliance under the EU Water Framework Directive.
Also known as: water scarcity