Since the end of the 18th century, water consumption has been increasing.
From now on, all you have to do is turn on the tap to enjoy drinking water. It is not only used for hydration: washing dishes, showering, toilets, swimming pool, watering the garden…
It has many uses, but it remains a rare resource that must be preserved. How much drinking water did French households consume in 2020? What consumes the most water? Here are all the answers to your questions.
Average water consumption for a French household: the figures to remember
In 1975, French people consumed 106 liters of water per day. Today, it is about 150 liters per person per day. These figures depend of course on several criteria:
- An adult uses more water than a child who needs only 69 liters;
- A high standard of living results in higher water consumption than a modest household that uses an average of 90 liters per day;
- An athletic person will have a higher consumption (about 240 liters of water per day) due to an increased need for hydration and repeated daily showers;
- The climatic conditions and the tourist activity influence the water needs and the average domestic consumption. For example, the inhabitants 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 ;
- Vacation periods increase our average water consumption.
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The different water points in a home
The main sources of water consumption are showering and cleaning: they both represent 93% of our average consumption. For the rest, it is quite difficult to quantify precisely each point of consumption, since it depends mainly on the appliances used and the habits of each person. 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 items in a home:
- 7% for food and drink
- 10 % for the dishes
- 12% for laundry
- 40% for hygiene (baths and showers)
- 20% for the sanitary facilities (count about 6 liters of water for each flush)
- 6% for garden watering and outdoor cleaning
- 5% for house cleaning
Note, however, that this amount of water can increase considerably with possible leaks. A dripping faucet uses 4 liters per hour, or 35,000 liters of water per year.
For example, the volume of water consumed during a shower varies according to the duration, the mixer used or the flow rate.
Did water consumption decrease during containment?
The year 2020 was marked by the Coronavirus and an international containment. In France, some regions have seen a 15% drop in drinking water consumption, mainly due to a drop in tourist activity and closures of schools, swimming pools and businesses. Other regions, such as Île-de-France, did not experience a significant decline. This water consumption has not really changed at the territorial level, except for a 5% decrease at the national level.
Furthermore, the authorities remind us that tap water can be consumed safely. Indeed, there is no risk of contamination by Covid-19 since the virus and bacteria are not resistant to chlorine and various treatments. It is therefore normal to feel a slight chlorine taste in the water. If this bothers you, don’t hesitate to use our water purifiers, the only ones that are 100% eco-responsible: no plastic waste, very low carbon cost during manufacturing, preservation of all trace elements, purified water… It’s an excellent alternative to plastic bottles or filtering carafes
How to reduce water consumption?
Thanks to a change in behavior and new eco-citizen reflexes, drinking water consumption has been decreasing for several years. We must therefore continue to act daily to preserve this precious resource. For this, a few easy steps can be taken:
- Repairing water leaks, knowing that a flush leak wastes 220,000 liters of water per year;
- Take quick showers instead of baths to save 130 liters per shower;
- Water your garden in the morning or evening, when temperatures are not yet too high;
- Use a regulator on faucets and a dual control toilet;
- Remodeling to replace an outdated water heater;
- Install a rainwater harvesting system for watering the garden or cleaning the car;
- Opt for the “eco” programs of household appliances.
Finally, we must not forget electricity consumption, which is also one of the main expenses of French households. If it is essential to preserve the longevity of water, it is also important to encourage the development of renewable energy. How can we do this? By choosing a green energy supplier! Online comparators like hellowatt.fr are a good solution to find an interesting offer that fits your budget.
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