Here’s is an interesting article on Scientific American, that reveals the top 10 fresh water consumers of the World. According to the resource, China is the top consumer and is followed by India in the second place. Although large population is the greatest factor, other factors like inefficient agriculture has significant influence on fresh water consumption.
Apart from top consumers, the resource also reveals, the top ten fresh water Importers and Exporters, India stands in first position in exporting water in the form of food and products. Populous nations that have little land or little water are huge net importers, Japan stands in the first position in importing virtual water.
The Top 10 Consumers of fresh water
1. China
2. India
3. US
4. Brazil
5. Russia
6. Indonesia
7. Pakistan
8. Mexico
9. Japan
10.Nigeria
Largest Net importers of Virtual Water
1. Japan
2. Mexico
3. Italy
4. Germany
5. U.K.
Largest Net Exporters of Virtual Water
1. India
2. Argentina
3. U.S.
4. Australia
5. Brazil
The article is from “The Water Footprint of Humanity” by Arjen Y. Hoekstra and Mesfin M. Mekonnen of the University of Twente in the Netherlands
