As part of a worldsteel Water Management survey, data was received from 29 steelworks, representing 8 % or about 111 million t of the global annual steel output. Results show that water consumption (consumption: in case of a complete steelwork: only intake of water, in case of a specific process: actually water needed for that process = intake + reuse water) in different steelworks varies from under 1 m³ to near 150 m³ of water per tonne of steel produced. The configuration of the steel plant, the geographical situation and local legislation often determines in what way, how much and what type of water is used and discharged. Nearly 82 % of the water is consumed by once-through cooling. Data about used techniques as well as discharge quality was collected and is available in a digital database that can be used for optimizing processes etc.

1. Sustainability Report of the world steel industry, worldsteel, Brussels, Belgium, 2008.
2. Johnson, R.: Industrial Water Management: A Systems Approach, 2nd edition, 2003, ISBN 978-0-8169-0875-2.
3. European Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Bureau (EIPPCB): Integrated Pollution Pre ven tion and Control (IPPC) Best Available Techniques Reference Document on the Production of Iron and Steel, 2001, available at: http://eippcb.jrc.es/pages/factivities.htm