Domestic water consumption

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Estimated household water consumption - Metered households

Estimated household water consumption - Metered households

Source: OFWAT

Estimated household water consumption - Unmetered households

Estimated household water consumption - Unmetered households

Source: OFWAT

Note: WaSC = Water and sewerage company

Between 2000-1 and 2005-6, average household water consumption in unmetered households increased by 3 litres to 152 litres per person per day (an increase of 2 per cent).
Metered household water consumption increased by 2 litres to 134 litres per person per day (an increase of 2 per cent).
For unmetered households, those supplied by Thames Water consumed the most water (167 litres per person per day). Metered household consumption was also highest in the Thames area (154 litres per person per day). However usage data are not necessarily comparable between regions.
Note that water companies have sophisticated sampling methods for measuring water consumption, but these methods are not necessarily identical. Since slightly different methodologies are employed by different companies, it is better to focus on individual company trends rather than performance by different companies in a specific year. Severn Trent water significantly revised a number of key water balance components in 2003 following a number of internal studies. Anglian water also made some methodological changes during the period for which we have displayed data.

Updated: 31 January 2008