Support to water statistics production and water accounts development

Water statistics compiled at European level are based on national questionnaires, including the OECD/Eurostat Joint Questionnaire on Inland Waters and regional water statistics, which are collected without a binding legal obligation. As a result, data gaps, inconsistencies and methodological challenges limited the completeness and comparability of water statistics across countries. There was also a need to better support the development of water accounts while considering country-specific water management contexts.

Artemis supported Eurostat and Member States in improving the collection and processing of water statistics. The work focused on enhancing data management, quality control, statistical analysis, validation and gap-filling using estimation methods. Artemis also contributed to methodological refinements and supported the development of water accounts, including the definition of opt-out options for countries where water accounts were not aligned with national water-related challenges.

The project strengthened the robustness and consistency of European water statistics across multiple domains, including water resources, abstraction, use, wastewater treatment, sewage sludge management and aquatic pollution. Improved validation and estimation processes enhanced data completeness by 5% over five years and improved comparability across countries. The assignment was delivered with 800 expert work-days, supporting more reliable water statistics for environmental monitoring and policy use.