Pressures on water resources are exerted by overexploitation as well as by degradation of environmental quality. Water quality is affected by water abstraction, by pollution loads from human activities (agriculture, industry, households) and by climate and weather. Water use efficiency is key in matching supply and demand. Reducing losses, using more efficient technologies and recycling are all part of the solution, but it is essential to apply the user-pays principle to all types of users and take an integrated approach to the management of freshwater resources by river basin.