What is the water consumption of French households in 2021?
Since the end of the 18th century, water consumption has continually increased.
Now, it is enough to turn on the tap to enjoy drinking water. Moreover, it is no longer used solely for hydration: dishes, showers, toilets, swimming pools, garden watering… Its uses are numerous, yet it remains a rare resource that must be preserved. How much drinking water did French households consume in 2021? What consumes the most water? Here are all the answers to your questions.
The average water consumption for a French household: key figures to remember
In 1975, the water consumption of the French was 106 liters per day. Today, it is approximately 150 liters per person per day. These figures depend, of course, on several criteria:
- An adult uses more water than a child, who only needs 69 liters;
- A high standard of living leads to greater water consumption than for
- A modest household, which uses an average of 90 liters per day;
- An athletic person will have a significant consumption (about 240 liters of water per day) due to an increased need for hydration and repeated daily showers;
- Climatic conditions and tourist activity influence water needs and average domestic consumption. For example, residents of Nord-Pas-de-Calais consume an average of 109 liters per day, compared to 228 liters per day in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur;
- Holiday periods see our average water consumption increase.
The different water points in a household
The main sources of water consumption are showers and household chores: both account for 93% of our average consumption. For the rest, it is quite difficult to quantify precisely each consumption point, as it mainly depends on the appliances used and individual habits. For example, the volume of water consumed during a shower varies according to the duration, the mixer used, or the flow rate. Some washing machines or dishwashers are also more water-efficient thanks to the “eco” program. On average, here are all the water consumption categories in a household:
- 7% for food and drink;
- 10% for dishes;
- 12% for laundry;
- 40% for hygiene (baths and showers);
- 20% for sanitation (count approximately 6 liters of water per flush);
- 6% for garden watering and outdoor cleaning;
- 5% for house cleaning.
This amount of water can significantly increase with potential leaks. A dripping faucet uses 4 liters per hour, which amounts to 35,000 liters of water per year!
Also read: What is the average water consumption of French households in 2020?
What are the water consumption habits for drinking?
The French are known for not drinking enough water each day: nearly 75% do not meet the recommended amounts! Generally speaking, the French consume more tap water (66%) rather than bottled water (47%). This is explained by consumers’ trust in the quality of the distributed water, but also by the cost of bottled water. However, at work, the consumption of bottled water increases and represents 49% of employees.
However, it is well known that tap water can sometimes have an unpleasant taste: this is why the French prefer to aerate it in a carafe beforehand, or with a filter placed under the sink, which removes any chlorine odor. In recent years, filtered water using a carafe has become particularly fashionable in the consumption habits of French households. The use of tap water is also observed for sparkling water consumption: rather than buying a pack of sparkling water, the French now prefer to consume sparkling water produced at home using tap water!
Also read: Is there a water softener without nuisances?
How to reduce water consumption?
Thanks to a change in behavior and new eco-citizen reflexes, the consumption of drinking water has been decreasing for several years. Therefore, we must continue to act daily to preserve this precious resource. To do this, a few easy gestures can be adopted:
- repair water leaks: a toilet leak wastes 220,000 liters of water per year;
- prefer quick showers to baths to save 130 liters with each shower;
- water your garden in the morning or evening, when temperatures are low;
- use a regulator on taps and a dual-flush toilet;
- carry out renovation work to replace an old water heater;
- install a rainwater harvesting system for garden watering or car cleaning;
- opt for the “eco” programs of household appliances.
Finally, we must not forget electricity consumption, another expense for French households. While it is essential to preserve the longevity of water, it is also important to promote the development of renewable energies, by favoring a green energy supplier! Online comparators like hellowatt.fr are a good solution to find the offer that suits your budget.
In order to test your knowledge about water consumption in France and around the world, we have created an interactive quiz: Quiz – Water consumption in France and around the world
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Also read: Water purifier: the complete guide
Article written on 13/09/2021 by Pascal Nuti – CIO Solable – Passionate about energy, I constantly seek new improvement targets by exploring cross-disciplinary paths using innovative methods.
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