How Much Water Do Singaporeans Use in Showers?
How Much Water Do Singaporeans Use in Showers?
Introduction
Water conservation is a major priority in Singapore, and one of the key areas where water is consumed is during showers. Understanding how much water an individual uses for showering daily, and how this scales up across households, offers important insight into water consumption patterns and potential areas for conservation.
Average Water Usage for Showers per Individual
According to the Public Utilities Board (PUB), the average daily water consumption per person in Singapore is approximately 143 litres, with showers accounting for around 30% of this usage. The specific water usage during showers depends largely on the duration of the shower and the type of shower fittings installed.
Men
Men typically shower for about 6.3 minutes, consuming 37 to 60 litres of water per shower.
- With older fittings (flow rates of 10 to 12 litres per minute), men may consume between 63 and 76 litres per shower.
- With modern water-efficient fittings (flow rates of 7 to 9 litres per minute), the water usage drops to 44 to 57 litres per shower.
Women
Women, on average, shower for 7.2 minutes, using between 50 and 86 litres of water per shower.
- Using older fittings, consumption can reach 86 litres per shower.
- Water-efficient fittings reduce the consumption to around 50 to 65 litres per shower.
Average Household Water Usage for Showers
Water usage for showers scales up with the size of the household. For a family of four using older shower fittings, total water consumption from showers alone can reach 320 litres per day (approximately 80 litres per person). However, with water-efficient showerheads, daily water consumption can be reduced by as much as 20-30%, resulting in a total of 224 to 256 litres per day for the same family.
Impact of Shower Fittings on Water Consumption
Many households in Singapore continue to rely on older, less efficient fittings that consume between 10 to 12 litres per minute. By contrast, modern water-efficient fittings, which have flow rates between 7 and 9 litres per minute, can significantly reduce water consumption. Households that upgrade to more efficient showerheads can expect to save up to 30% on water used for showers.
Monthly Water Usage for Showers in Households
Over a month, the cumulative effect of water usage for showers is substantial. In a household of four:
- With older fittings, monthly water consumption for showers can reach approximately
- 9,600 litres.
- With water-efficient fittings, this can be reduced to around 7,680 to 8,000 litres, offering potential savings of 1,600 to 1,920 litres per month.
Conclusion
Showers are one of the largest sources of water consumption in Singaporean households, accounting for a significant portion of daily and monthly water use. By adopting water- efficient shower fittings and adjusting habits, individuals and families can reduce their water consumption considerably. This is an important step towards achieving Singapore’s water conservation goals and easing the pressure on the country’s water supply.
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