Environmental Trends 2002

Surface Water Use

Per capita municipal water use in British Columbia

SOURCE: Environment Canada Municipal Water Use Database (MUD) 2001. NOTES: Municipal water use includes water used for domestic, industrial, commercial and other uses. Other uses include water lost through leaks or uses that do not fall into domestic, industrial or commercial categories. It is important to note that after water has been used, it is subject to costly water treatment to make the receiving aquatic environment liveable for aquatic organisms and safe for human consumption and recreation.

Status and trends in water use

• In 1999, British Columbians used 678 litres per person per day, a 6% decrease from 1983.

• British Columbia’s per capita water consumption is on par with the Canadian average (638 litres/day). The lowest per capita water use rates in Canada are in Ontario (549 litres/day) and the Prairie provinces (492 litres/day).

• Canadians are among the world’s highest water users. In 1996, each Canadian used more than twice as much water for domestic purposes as the average person in France.

• Approximately 65% of domestic indoor water use occurs in the bathroom with toilets being the single greatest water user in the home. Only 10% is used in the kitchen and for drinking.

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth report [pdf].