Mr. Jagannath
SPOTLIGHT
Water quality and conservation
Although agriculture and industry are the thirstiest of all water consumers, household water use accounts for some 10-30% of total consumption in developed countries. As governments develop strategies to promote water conservation, an OECD survey of households conducted in 2008 offers insight into what really works. Based on some 10,000 responses across 10 countries, the answer is as clear as what comes out of the tap: having to pay for water encourages water-saving behaviour and investment in water-saving appliances, thus reducing consumption. 1. Taste healthy?
% of respondents, satisfied and dissatisfied with their tap water, by country
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
The survey finds that water charges affect consumption: households that are charged according to how much water they use consume an average of 25% less water than those households that either pay a flat fee or
Mexico
Korea
Italy
Canada
France
Australia
Czech
Republic
Sweden
Netherlands
% satisfied with their tap water
of those dissatisfied - % having taste concern
of those dissatisfied - % having health concern
Source: OECD
2. Bottled taste
3. Cleaner water behaviour
Reasons for buying bottled water, health being the main incentive, concern about waste being a disincentive
% of respondents with water efficient equipment, depending on water charges
0.5
70%
0.4
60%
0.3
50%
0.2
0.1
40%
0
30%
-0.1
20%
-0.2
10%
-0.3
-0.4
No charge
Source: OECD
have free access to water services. People who pay by volume of water used also tend to be more likely to conserve water by turning off the tap while brushing their teeth, collecting rainwater or recycling wastewater. They are also more likely to have water-efficient devices, such as washing machines that use less water, dual-flush toilets or water-flow restrictors
Water flow
Water quality and conservation
Although agriculture and industry are the thirstiest of all water consumers, household water use accounts for some 10-30% of total consumption in developed countries. As governments develop strategies to promote water conservation, an OECD survey of households conducted in 2008 offers insight into what really works. Based on some 10,000 responses across 10 countries, the answer is as clear as what comes out of the tap: having to pay for water encourages water-saving behaviour and investment in water-saving appliances, thus reducing consumption. 1. Taste healthy?
% of respondents, satisfied and dissatisfied with their tap water, by country
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
The survey finds that water charges affect consumption: households that are charged according to how much water they use consume an average of 25% less water than those households that either pay a flat fee or
Mexico
Korea
Italy
Canada
France
Australia
Czech
Republic
Sweden
Netherlands
% satisfied with their tap water
of those dissatisfied - % having taste concern
of those dissatisfied - % having health concern
Source: OECD
2. Bottled taste
3. Cleaner water behaviour
Reasons for buying bottled water, health being the main incentive, concern about waste being a disincentive
% of respondents with water efficient equipment, depending on water charges
0.5
70%
0.4
60%
0.3
50%
0.2
0.1
40%
0
30%
-0.1
20%
-0.2
10%
-0.3
-0.4
No charge
Source: OECD
have free access to water services. People who pay by volume of water used also tend to be more likely to conserve water by turning off the tap while brushing their teeth, collecting rainwater or recycling wastewater. They are also more likely to have water-efficient devices, such as washing machines that use less water, dual-flush toilets or water-flow restrictors
Water flow