Water Demand and Consumption Patterns

### Demand of Water

• Domestic Water Consumption: includes drinking, cooking, bathing, and sanitation.
• Industrial Water Consumption: used for cooling, manufacturing processes, and cleaning.
• Agricultural Water Consumption: irrigation for crops, livestock, and aquaculture.
• Firefighting Water Demand: based on local building codes and risk assessments to ensure sufficient water supply for emergencies.
• Per Capita Demand (PCD): refers to the average water consumption per person per day.
• Factors Affecting Consumption:
  • Climate: affects water usage for cooling and irrigation.
  • Lifestyle: impacts consumption patterns for hygiene, gardening, and leisure activities.
  • Economic Conditions: influence water demand for industrial processes and luxury uses.
• Seasonal variations: lead to higher demand during dry periods and lower demand during rainy seasons.
• Population Density: influences water usage for household needs and sanitation.
• Fluctuation in Demand: understanding peak hours (morning and evening) and off-peak hours is crucial for efficient water management.
• Design Period: Water supply systems must be designed to meet future water needs, taking into account population growth and development.
• Forecasting Population: techniques like demographic analysis and trend extrapolation help estimate future population sizes.

Sources of Water

• Surface Sources:
  • Rivers: Running water, subject to seasonal variations and pollution.
  • Lakes: Standing water, prone to algae blooms and sedimentation.
  • Reservoirs: Artificial lakes, providing regulated water supply but potentially impacting downstream ecosystems.
• Groundwater Sources:
  • Wells: Accessing groundwater through vertical shafts drilled into aquifers.
  • Boreholes: Similar to wells but deeper and usually used for industrial or large-scale water supply.
• Infiltration Galleries: Underground structures designed to collect groundwater from permeable layers.
• Relative Merits of Sources:
  • Reliability: Consistency of supply over time.
  • Quality: Suitability for drinking and other uses.
  • Accessibility: Ease and cost of extracting water.
• Assessment & Suitability:
  • Water quality tests (chemical and microbiological) are used to ensure suitability for drinking and other purposes.
  • Local conditions: Geologic formations, environmental factors, and land use patterns are considered.
• Selection: Choosing the most appropriate water source for a community involves considering:
  • Water availability: Ensuring sufficient supply for present and future needs.
  • Water quality: Meeting standards for drinking and other uses.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Balanced with environmental impact and community needs.