Water Demand & Requirement Quiz

Water Demand & Requirement

• The amount of water required for a community is known as water demand.

• Water requirement depends on these factors:

  • Population
  • Climate
  • Habits and lifestyle
  • Plumbing facilities
  • Sewerage infrastructure
  • Industry
  • Water tax
  • Metering (areas with water meters tend to use less water than areas without)

• To estimate total water demand, consider:

  • Domestic consumption
  • Water used for public purposes
  • Water used in industry
  • Water loss due to leaks and other factors (estimated at 10% of total demand)

• Average domestic water consumption varies significantly:

  • Developing countries: About 135 litres per capita per day (lpcd)
  • Developed countries with good plumbing: As high as 450-500 lpcd

Municipal Water Demand

• Municipal water demand includes:
  • Domestic or residential water use
  • Commercial water use
  • Industrial water use
  • Public service water use
  • Unaccounted for system losses (leakage)

Components of Municipal Water Demand

• Residential Water Demand: Includes water used for:

  • Toilet flushing
  • Cooking
  • Drinking
  • Bathing
  • Washing (dishes and clothes)
  • Watering lawns and other uses
  • Average demand ranges from 100 - 450 lpcd

• Commercial Water Demand: Includes water used by:

  • Hotels
  • Office buildings
  • Shopping centers
  • Service stations
  • Airports
  • Demand depends on the type and number of commercial establishments in a community.
  • Represents about 10 to 20% of the total water demand.

• Industrial Water Demand: Includes water used by industries.

  • Industries often develop their own water supplies, independent of public systems.
  • Smaller industries rely on public utilities, which impacts local municipal systems.

• Public Water Demand: Includes water used for:

  • Public buildings (city halls, jails, schools)
  • Public services (fire protection, park irrigation, street washing)
  • Accounts for 5 to 10% of total municipal water demand.

• Unaccounted System Losses and Leakage:

  • A certain amount of water is lost or unaccounted for in a water supply system due to:
    • Meter inaccuracies
    • Leaks in pipes and other infrastructure
    • Inefficient water management practices
    • This loss directly impacts the efficiency of the water supply system and requires careful management.

Test your knowledge on water demand and its various requirements for communities. This quiz covers essential factors influencing water consumption, municipal needs, and differences between developed and developing nations. Explore how population, climate, and infrastructure affect water usage.