FACTORS AFFECTING PER CAPITA DEMAND OF WATER

    The following are the main factors affecting for capita demand of the city or

town.

a)Climatic conditions : The quantity of water required in hotter and dry places is  more than cold countries because of the use of air coolers, air conditioners, sprinkling of water in lawns, gardens, courtyards, washing of rooms, more washing of clothes and bathing etc. But in very cold countries sometimes the quantity of water required may be more due to wastage, because at such places the people often keep their taps open and water continuously flows for fear of freezing of water in the taps and use of hot water for keeping the rooms warm.

b)Size of community : Water demand is more with increase of size fo town because more water is required in street washing, running of sewers, maintenance of parks and gardens.

c)Living standard of the people : The per capita demand of the town increases with the standard of living of the people because of the use of air conditioners, room coolers, maintenance of lawns, use of flush, latrines and automatic home appliances etc.

d)Industrial and commercial activities : As the quantity of water required in certain industries is much more than domestic demand, their presence in the town will enormously increase per capita demand of the town. As a matter of the fact the water required by the industries has no direct link with the population of the town.

e)Pressure in the distribution system: The rate of water consumption increase in the pressure of the building and even with the required pressure at the farthest point, the consumption of water will automatically increase. This increase in the quantity is firstly due to use of water freely by the people as compared when they get it scarcely and more water loss due to leakage, wastage and thefts etc.

f)System of sanitation: Per capita demand of the towns having water carriage system will be more than the town where this system is not being used.

g)Cost of water: The cost of water directly affects its demand. If the cost of water is more, less quantity of water will be used by the people as compared when the cost is low.