Understanding residential water demand: insights from a survey in a Mediterranean city

Abstract

In order to formulate targeted water demand management policies, policymakers need to know how water is consumed in cities. However, domestic water consumption can be highly affected by diverse factors, with local specificities playing a major role. In this study, the determinant factors associated with residential water consumption in the city of Aveiro, Portugal, are examined based on data collected through a survey. The analysis was conducted to understand how sociodemographic and physical house factors influence the domestic water consumption. Income, family size, the presence of children and water saving fixtures were noticed to have a significant relationship with water consumption. However, no significant relationship was found with the year of construction of the building.