Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
2920 Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
8 August 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
8 August 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
8 August 2025
3.1. Data description
Yearly data on freshwater resources, water abstraction and use are collected annually by means of the RWQ Eurostat Regional Water Questionnaire. Data aggregation: RBD (River basin districts according to the Water Framework Directive, 2000/60/EC) and their subunits. (See Annex for correspondence of RBD codes between DG ENV and Eurobas.)
Eurostat strives for further harmonisation with reporting frameworks under current/future European legislation, such as the Urban Wastewater treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) or the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).
3.3. Coverage - sector
In principle all NACE sectors and private households are covered by the data set produced.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Collection and compilation of annual data on a diversity of topics, comprising the following data sets for every RBD/SU:
Renewable fresh water resources;
Annual fresh water abstraction by source and by sector and other sources of water (marine and brackish water, desalinated water, reused water);
Water resources, abstraction, use: not applicable.
3.6. Statistical population
According to the parameter in question, inland waters, water abstracted (withdrawn) from water resources, water used.
3.7. Reference area
Data are collected for all RBD and their subunits in countries where these were defined in the process of implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Depending on availability of data for different countries, the period between 2000-2021 is covered.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable
For water resources, water abstraction and water use: million m³
The calendar year
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The data collection is voluntary. Eurostat’s work on water statistics is covered by the European Statistical Programme.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Data are made available to the European Data Centre for Water (WISE).
Data are used by the EEA, DG Environment, DG REGIO, the OECD, the UN Statistical Division, WHO, UNEP and the FAO.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Not applicable
8.1. Release calendar
Not applicable
8.2. Release calendar access
Not applicable
8.3. Release policy - user access
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice, Eurostat disseminates European statistics on Eurostat's website (see item 10 - 'Accessibility and clarity') respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably. The detailed arrangements are governed by the Eurostat protocol on impartial access to Eurostat data for users.
Major update of the database every year according to the rhythm of data collection.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Not available
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Statistics explained: section water statistics
There is no regular printed publication dedicated just to regional water statistics. However data are used for the production of different Eurostat sample publications.
Documentation on the methodology of the water data collection can be found in the manual on water data collection.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Quality is assured by internal data validation processes. Documentation is not yet publicly available.
11.1. Quality assurance
Quality is assured by internal data validation processes.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Data are checked for logical consistency within the tables, in between tables, in between countries, as well as over time.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
DG Environment
DG Mare
DG Regio
EEA (European Environment Agency)
European Investment Bank
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No information available
12.3. Completeness
Due to the voluntary nature of reporting, there are data gaps of different sizes for all participating countries.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
No information available
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable
14.1. Timeliness
In case of regular reporting by the countries the time lag between the period covered by the data and publication of the data amounts up to 16 -18 months.
14.2. Punctuality
Sixteen of the concerned 29 countries (EU, EFTA and EU candidates) reported by the deadline, another three within 2 months after the deadline.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
In principle geographical comparability is good, but interpretability of country data is limited due to aggregation of regional differences.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Comparability over time is generally good, but can be limited due to data gaps and breaks in series.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not applicable
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal coherence between data and statistics published is very high.
The data are revised whenever a new questionnaire is received: historical data are pre-filled, and National Statistical Institutes are asked to revise their data and make corrections wherever necessary.
The questionnaire itself is revised to keep the balance between consistency of time series and adaptation to the users' needs and to progress in science and technology.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Reported errors are assessed for seriousness to determine whether they should trigger a correction of already disseminated data. Reported errors are corrected in the disseminated data as soon as the correct data have been validated.
New data are only used to update disseminated data if provided according to the provision schedule set by Eurostat, or in the case of reported errors.
countries without regular frequency.
18.1. Source data
The operational source of the data is the National Statistical Institutes or other providers of official statistics designated by individual countries (e. g. environmental agencies). The data collection uses the RWQ (regional water questionnaire).
18.2. Frequency of data collection
The data collection is done annually from 2019 onwards. The frequency on national level depends on country and issue.
18.3. Data collection
National Statistical Institutes and other producers of official statistics collect the data from a variety of data sources, including regional or local authorities, environmental administrations and industry. Where suitable and necessary, they apply own surveys and statistical estimation methods.
With the data collection for new reference years, always the T-1 year is requested, as well as gap-filling and revisions for earlier reference years.
Eurostat collects the data using questionnaires in SDMX-compatible Excel format. Once ready, the data are sent back via Edamis to Eurostat. Edamis monitors and registers the incoming replies.
18.4. Data validation
After data reporting by MS, data are loaded automatically in a database (MDT). Eurostat checks the data for plausibility, e.g. for logical consistency and for unusual changes in time series. All detected problems are reported and treated in close collaboration with the National Statistical Institutes and/or the relevant experts in the countries. Once validation is done, the data are uploaded into Eurobase, Eurostat's dissemination database which is publicly accessible on the internet.
The data validation is done following the validation levels 0 to 3 and partly level 5 (see concept of validation levels), as proposed in the VIP Validation project. Some basic quality checks in the file itself, intra-file checks, as well as comparison with other files referring to the same statistical domain followed by "intra-domain and intra-source checks" are of relevance: it includes revision checks, time series checks and inter-dataset checks, as well as some mirror checks.
Validation level 4 is not appropriate for regional water statistics, but validation level 5 is partly used for some data checking with our partners outside the Institution (eg. EEA).
18.5. Data compilation
Some indicators (e.g. per capita values) are calculated from the data.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable
No comments
Yearly data on freshwater resources, water abstraction and use are collected annually by means of the RWQ Eurostat Regional Water Questionnaire. Data aggregation: RBD (River basin districts according to the Water Framework Directive, 2000/60/EC) and their subunits. (See Annex for correspondence of RBD codes between DG ENV and Eurobas.)
Water resources, abstraction, use: not applicable.
According to the parameter in question, inland waters, water abstracted (withdrawn) from water resources, water used.
Data are collected for all RBD and their subunits in countries where these were defined in the process of implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
The calendar year
No information available
For water resources, water abstraction and water use: million m³
Some indicators (e.g. per capita values) are calculated from the data.
The operational source of the data is the National Statistical Institutes or other providers of official statistics designated by individual countries (e. g. environmental agencies). The data collection uses the RWQ (regional water questionnaire).
Major update of the database every year according to the rhythm of data collection.
In case of regular reporting by the countries the time lag between the period covered by the data and publication of the data amounts up to 16 -18 months.
In principle geographical comparability is good, but interpretability of country data is limited due to aggregation of regional differences.
Comparability over time is generally good, but can be limited due to data gaps and breaks in series.
