Water Use in the Netherlands

Analysis with Python, NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib

About this project

This project explores water use in the Dutch economy using official statistics. The Python script loads raw CSV data, cleans and aggregates it with Pandas and NumPy, and generates visual summaries with Matplotlib and Seaborn. The plots below are saved by main.py into the plots/ folder and embedded here.

Run the analysis yourself (local only)

These stats and forecasts are generated by a local Python script. To reproduce or update them:

  1. Download main.py to the same folder as this page.
  2. Install Python 3 (with “Add to PATH”), then run:
    python -m pip install pandas numpy matplotlib seaborn requests
  3. In the folder containing main.py and your CSV, run:
    python main.py
  4. Enter how many years ahead to forecast when prompted.
  5. Refresh this page; it will read the new plots/*.png and plots/forecast_total_economy.csv.

Note: GitHub Pages cannot execute Python. You must run main.py locally to regenerate data/plots.

Forecast: water use by source (Total Dutch economy)

A simple linear-trend model trained on historical totals projects tap, groundwater, and surface water use for future years. Run main.py and enter how many years ahead to forecast; the plot below updates and is saved in plots/.

Download script: main.py (run locally to regenerate forecasts)

Forecasted water use by source
Figure 0 — Forecasted water abstraction by source (dashed = forecast).

Interactive forecast explorer

Explore the forecasted water use by source (tap, groundwater, surface) for the total Dutch economy. This widget reads plots/forecast_total_economy.csv produced by main.py. Adjust filters to change the view; if the data is missing, rerun the script locally and push the updated CSV/plots to GitHub Pages.

Loading forecast data…

Water use by source (Total Dutch economy)

Evolution of tap water, groundwater, and surface water use (million m3) for the total Dutch economy over time.

Water use by source - Total Dutch economy
Figure 1 — Trends in water abstraction by source.

Households vs all economic activities

Comparison of total water abstraction for private households versus all economic activities (A–U) in the Netherlands.

Households vs all economic activities
Figure 2 — Water use for households compared with all activities.

Fresh vs salt surface water

Use of fresh and salt surface water by the total Dutch economy, highlighting the relative importance of each source.

Fresh vs salt surface water
Figure 3 — Fresh versus salt surface water use.