Household water consumption per capita in the Netherlands, 1980-2001
The Dutch consume less drinking water than a few years ago. Technical alterations and changing behaviour have contributed to water savings.
| 1980 | 1985 | 1990 | 1995 | 1998 | 2001 | |
| litres per capita per day | ||||||
| Bath | 12.6 | 13.1 | 8.6 | 9.0 | 6.7 | 3.7 |
| Shower | 19.2 | 21.2 | 28.2 | 38.3 | 39.7 | 42.0 |
| Bathroom sink | 7.4 | 6.9 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Toilet flush | 29.0 | 32.7 | 34.0 | 39.0 | 36.2 | 34.8 |
| Washing of hands | 2.4 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
| Washing machine | 22.0 | 21.6 | 22.7 | 25.5 | 23.1 | 22.8 |
| Washing up by hand | 9.3 | 10.5 | 9.4 | 4.9 | 3.8 | 3.6 |
| Dishwasher | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 2.4 |
| Food preparation | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Other | 2.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 8.2 | 7.7 | 8.2 |
| Total | 109.0 | 116.5 | 122.6 | 134.3 | 128.0 | 126.2 |
| Source: NIPO/VEWIN. | RIVM/EDC/Oct02/0037 | |||||
Water consumption continues to fall
In the last ten years, per capita consumption of drinking water has fallen. The main developments here are the effect of the policy for being more careful with water, technological developments and changes in behaviour.
Largest increases and falls in water consumption
In household consumption, there has been a major fall in water used by toilet flushing due to the installation of, for example, low-flow cisterns in newly constructed housing and in large renovation projects. Technological improvements mean that dishwashers also use less water. Baths are not as popular. The reduction of water consumption as the result of the installation of water-efficient showerheads is completely cancelled out by the fact that people now shower more often. The use of dishwashers is growing rapidly but their share in total household water consumption is quite small.
Note on research
The figures for the years 1995, 1998 and 2001 come from surveys conducted by NIPO (the Dutch Institute for Public Opinion Survey and Market Research) on behalf of VEWIN. For this survey, more than 2,000 households kept records that included frequency and length of use of equipment and appliances that consume water. These data are combined with technical data and information about ownership of equipment and appliances.
References
- NIPO/VEWIN (2001). Enquête huishoudelijk waterverbruik 2001. The Netherlands Waterworks Association, Rijswijk.
Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium
- Water extraction and water consumption in the Netherlands, 1976-1996
- Emissions to water by consumers in the Netherlands, 1990-2001
Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium
- More information about water consumption by consumers can be obtained from VEWIN.
