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Average water consumption in French households - Facts and figures
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Since the end of the 18th century and a certain demographic and economic boom, the average water consumption has continued to rise (although it has fallen in recent years, as we shall see later). With population growth and industrialisation, the demand for drinking water has increased considerablyIt also covers water requirements for irrigation, energy production and other industrial uses.
These days, drinking water is just a tap away. It's not just used for drinking, it's also used a lot around the home: for washing up, showering, toilets, swimming pools, watering the garden, etc.
This increased demand for water has had an impact on available water resources, which are increasingly limited in many parts of the world. It has therefore become crucial to manage water resources efficiently to meet current and future water needs, while preserving water quality for future generations.
How much drinking water did French households consume in 2020? What are the main sources of water consumption in the home? How can we reduce our water consumption? Here are the answers to all your questions.
Average water consumption in a French household: key figures
In 1975, French people consumed 106 litres of water a day. Today, the figure is around 150 litres per person per day. Of course, these figures depend on a number of criteria:
- A adult uses more water than a child who only needs 69 litres;
- Lifestyle: a high standard of living uses more water than a modest household, which uses an average of 90 litres a day;
- A sporty person will consume more water (around 240 litres per day) due to the increased need for hydration and repeated daily showers;
- The climatic conditions and tourist activity influence water requirements and average domestic consumption. For example, residents of Nord-Pas-de-Calais consume an average of 109 litres per day, compared with 228 litres per day in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur ;
- The holiday periods increase our average water consumption.
Comparison of average water consumption in Europe
Domestic water consumption varies significantly across Europe, reflecting differences in climate, culture, environmental policy and water prices.
Here is a table comparing water consumption in Europe:
Average water consumption in m3 per person per year
Country | Period | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Luxembourg | 87 | 75 |
| Malta | 83 | 84 |
| Latvia | 88 | 91 |
| Lithuania | 711 | 94 |
| Slovakia | 154 | 102 |
| Czech Republic | 173 | 126 |
| Denmark | 117 | 161 |
| Croatia | 174 | 164 |
| Sweden | 267 | 170 |
| Cyprus | 240 | 245 |
| Poland | 279 | 248 |
| Ireland | 259 | 254 |
| Germany | 373 | 260 |
| Romania | 414 | 327 |
| Belgium | 651 | 342 |
| Austria | 461 | 360 |
| EU-27 | 451 | 363 |
| France | 454 | 401 |
| Finland | 542 | 419 |
| Slovenia | 482 | 456 |
| Hungary | 562 | 486 |
| Portugal | 565 | 495 |
| Netherlands | 821 | 515 |
| Italy | 514 | 554 |
| Spain | 783 | 663 |
| Bulgaria | 788 | 785 |
| Greece | 865 | 937 |
| Estonia | 1258 | 995 |
Source : European DataLab
Trends and implications
In 10 years, average water consumption in the EU has fallen by 20 %, from 451 m³/year/inhabitant to 363 m³/year/inhabitant, indicating significant progress in water management within the Union.
Consumption therefore generally fell between 2007-2009 and 2017-2019 in Europe, especially in countries such as Lithuania, Belgium, the Netherlands and Estonia, with the notable exception of Italy, where it increased.
Differences in consumption can be explained by various factors, such as household size, income, age, the use of water-efficient sanitary appliances and the price of water. Water consumption also varies according to the economic specialisation of countries, with agriculture and energy production among the most water-intensive sectors.
🚿 What uses the most water?
L'hygiene (shower, bath, etc.) and the household are the main sources of water consumption, together accounting for 93% of our average consumption.
For the other sources of consumption, it is difficult to quantify their contribution precisely, as it depends on the use of equipment and on individual habits.
The same applies to the main sources of consumption, these vary greatly from one household to another. For example, the volume of water used during a shower can vary depending on the duration, the type of mixer or the flow rate. It should also be noted that by using the eco" programmeHowever, some appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, can use less water. On average, here are the different sources of water consumption in a home:
Obviously, this amount of water can increase considerably if there are any leaks, and I wouldn't wish that on you, because, for example a dripping tapThis is equivalent to 35,000 litres of water wasted every year.
Did water consumption fall during the containment period?
The year 2020 was marked by the Coronavirus and international containment. In France, some regions saw a 15 % drop in drinking water consumption, due in particular toa fall in tourism and closures of schools, swimming pools and businesses.
In other regions, such as the ÃŽle-de-France, there was no significant drop. There has therefore been no real variation in water consumption across the country, apart from a slight increase in the number of litres used. reduction of 5 % at national level.
The authorities also remind us that tap water is safe to drink. In fact, it has no risk of being contaminated by Covid-19 because viruses and bacteria are not resistant to chlorine and the various treatments that water from our taps undergoes.
What's more, you may have already noticed a more or less pronounced taste of chlorine in your water? If this bothers you, don't hesitate to use our water purifiersThese are the only 100 % eco-friendly products: they do not generate any plastic waste, they have a very low carbon cost during manufacture, and they preserve all the trace elements, giving you purified water with no taste left, so it's "delicious" to drink... It's an excellent way to enjoy your water. alternative to plastic bottles or filter jugs.
Average water consumption: a downward trend
While drinking water resources have become an issue, it is encouraging to note that for several years now, average water consumption is falling in many households. There are several reasons why average water consumption has fallen in recent years:
- Raising awareness about saving water Water: campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of saving water have encouraged people to adopt more environmentally-friendly behaviour and reduce their water consumption.
- More efficient technology Technology has improved and modern products consume less water, which has led to a reduction in water consumption in France on a daily basis.
- Government policies Government policies to encourage the sensible use of water, such as watering restrictions or subsidies for households that install water-saving systems, have helped to reduce water consumption.
It is the combination of these factors that has contributed to a reduction in water consumption over the years. It is important to continue to adopt eco-responsible behaviour and to adopt daily eco-gestures to preserve this vital resource.
Read also: What is the price per m3 of water in France and in my municipality?
How can I reduce my water consumption?
As a result of the adoption of new environmentally-friendly habits by our fellow citizens described above, drinking water consumption has fallen in recent years. To continue our daily efforts to protect this precious resource, we can follow these tips and considerably reduce our average water consumption and our water bill :
- Take shorter showers Water consumption: showers can consume a lot of water. By taking shorter showers, you can reduce your water consumption considerably. In any case, opt for quick showers rather than baths to save 130 litres per shower;
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth: leaving the water running while you brush your teeth can waste a lot of water unnecessarily.
- Don't flush unnecessarily Avoid flushing for small needs.
- Save water when washing up Avoid letting the water run unnecessarily when washing up, and use a sink or colander instead to rinse food.
- Install low-flow taps Low-flow taps can considerably reduce your water consumption.
- Save water during gardening For example, avoid watering your plants during the hottest part of the day, and use a watering can rather than a hose. For watering the garden or cleaning the car, you can also set up a rainwater recovery system.
- Repair leaks Leaks can waste a lot of water. Make sure you repair them quickly to save water. Similarly, don't neglect renovation works and modernisation, for example to replace your old water heater;
- Use water-saving appliances Invest in water-saving appliances for your home, such as dual-flush toilets and water-saving dishwashers and washing machines.
Note that the average price of m3 of water in France was €4.30 in 2022.
Read also:Â 10 tips to make your everyday life more eco-responsible
Don't forget electricity consumption
Finally, we must not forget the electricity consumption which is also one of the main areas of expenditure for French households.
While it's vital to preserve the longevity of water, it's also important to encourage the development of new technologies. renewable energies to preserve our natural resources.
How do you go about it? By choosing a green energy supplier ! Green energy suppliers mainly use renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power to produce electricity. By choosing this type of supplier, you are helping to transition to cleaner energy and more sustainable. Online comparators such as hellowatt.fr can be an excellent option for discovering attractive services and offers that suit your budget.
Our sources:
Quiz!
To test your knowledge of water consumption in France and around the world, we've put together an interactive quiz: Quiz - Water consumption in France and around the world
Article written on 16/02/2023 by Pascal Nuti - CIO Solable - Passionate about energy, I'm constantly on the lookout for new targets for improvement, exploring cross-disciplinary paths using novel methods.
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