Per Capita Demand and factors affecting per capita demand

Per capita demand

Total consumption of water for a water supply system in a year divided by the population and the number of days in the year is called per capita demand.

It can be expressed in liters per capita per day. Per capita demand of water in Indian towns for various uses are:-

• Domestic use = 135 liters/capita/day
• Public use = 25 liters/capita/day
• Industrial use = 40 liters/capita/day
• Fire demand = 15 liters/capita/day
• Losses, wastages and thefts = 55 liters/capita/day

That means total demand is 270 liters/capita/day.

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Factors affecting per capita demand

Factors affecting per capita per demand are:-

1. Climate of town.
2. Habits of people.
3. Industries and commercial places.
4. Method of charging.
5. Pressure in distribution system.
6. Size of city or town.
7. System of supply.
8. Sanitation facilities.
9. Quality of water.
10. Cost of water.

1. Climate of town 

Requirement of water in hotter places is more than cooler places as they need more water for air conditioning, sprinkling in streets or roads, bathing etc.

2. Habits of people

Some people need less water for bathing, washing clothes and other daily activities while some people need more. Generally rich people consume more water due to their high living standards.

3. Industries and commercial places

More industries and commercial places in the city more will be demand of water. Hence, increase in per capita demand.

4. Method of charging

Water is charged on basis of metering system and non-metering system. In metering system consumers will consume less water comparing to non-metering system.

5. Pressure in distribution system

There will be more consumption of water in case if adequate pressure is maintained as water reaches to upper stories of the buildings. Also, leakages will be more.

6. Size of city or town

If size of city or town is large, then more water will be consumed. This is all due to population, big cities have more population than small cities. Per capita demand increases with increase in population.

7. System of supply

If water supply is intermittent, less water is consumed due to decreases in losses and wasteful use.

8. Sanitation facilities

In areas where underground sanitation facilities are available, more water is needed for efficient drainage through pipes, channels and sewers.

9. Quality of water

Per capita demand will increase if the quality of water is good.

10. Cost of water

The per capita demand will be more if cost of water is less and vice versa.