Covid shifts water consumption and values

Three separate pieces of research published last week point to significant changes concerning water use in the UK as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cranfield University used machine learning algorithms to analyse and identify patterns in hourly water consumption data from 11,528 households in the East of England from January to May 2020. It found usage had shifted from predominantly higher usage early in the morning to multiple peaks and continued demand throughout the day.

Cranfield said the research was the first of its kind in the UK to quantify network consumption and segment households into different behavioural clusters according to significant differences in usage patterns. Its key findings were:

• there was an overall increase in household consumption from March to May 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, with the gap opening as lockdown restrictions deepened;

• a sharp increase (10% on the previous week) in consumption was recorded in the fourth week of March – the week of the Covid-19 lockdown – rising to 46% above the pre-lockdown average in the fourth week of May;

• four distinct clusters of household water consumers can be characterised by their unique patterns of hourly use: early morning, late morning, evening peak and multiple peak;

• the multiple peak cluster experienced the most significant increase in the number of households during the lockdown period, with a 93% rise between the third and fourth weeks of March; and

• the early morning cluster experienced the sharpest decrease in the number of households during the lockdown period, with a significant drop in their share of relative consumption between 7-8a.m. from 40% to 20%.

The research used anonymised smart meter data and was supported by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

Northumbrian Water reported that people in the North East have been using up to 29 litres more water per person a day since lockdown began.

While vital hand washing has contributed to a small portion of increased demand, the water company said that the most significant factors have been garden water use, self-care baths and extra cups of tea. “During the pandemic, there have been hundreds of extra kettles being filled, and dishes being done after every meal – which would have happened in workplaces, schools, gyms and cafes rather than at home on a larger scale.”

As lockdown restrictions ease, Northumbrian is calling on people to take some simple steps to cut back on their water usage to protect the environment and reduce carbon footprints.

WaterAid research has found a third of Britons say the focus on hygiene during the pandemic has increased the value they place on water, with three-quarters now saying they appreciate having clean water at home.

WaterAid asked 2,024 people across the UK about their perceptions of their water supply, and whether Covid-19 has increased appreciation for water, to mark World Water Day last week which this year focused on the value of water. Other findings were:

• 49% said they take steps to reduce the amount of water they use, while 58% think everyone should try to use less water;

• 30% save water by not flushing the loo every time, with 44% of over 55s trying to save water this way, compared to only 1 in 7 people aged 16-24; and

• 38% said they ensure appliances like dishwashers and washing machines are water-efficient. • 27% collect rainwater to use in their garden.

However, 25% said they do not think about the amount of water they use; 15% wash dishes with running water while filling up the bowl; 19% admit to leaving the tap running while brushing their teeth; and 5% run the dishwasher when it’s half-full.

And just one-in-five people spend the recommended maximum time of four minutes in the shower, while the largest proportion of people (41%) spend between five and ten minutes and 19% linger longer than 10 minutes, each using around 120 litres of water each time.