Ca. 2.35 billion m3 of water – this corresponds to about 3% of the annual amount – are consumed annually in Austria, a country rich in aquatic resources.

Every year Austrian households consume about the amount of water that fills the lake “Wolfgangsee”, more accurately on average 130 liters per capita and day. Industrial use accounts for nearly two thirds of the need. Just under one third is required for drinking water and around 5% is required for agriculture. These values have remained more or less constant for many years.

However, water is also used in many other ways, such as an energy source. For example: roughly two thirds of the domestic electricity generation is done within hydroelectric plants. Water has also become an indispensable factor in the tourism sector (e.g. lakes for swimming, snow machines).

Each Austrian uses about 130 litres of drinking water daily in the house-hold. The least volume, however, is actually drunk, because most water is used for cleaning purposes. For example, around 22% are used for showering and bathing, for toilet flushing 25% and for washing clothes 10%. In the outdoor area (pool, plants, etc.) 14% are consumed. About the taps in bathroom, toilet and kitchen flow 27% and 2% are consumed by the dishwasher. 99% of Austria’s drinking water is groundwater or spring water. Only the small remainder is obtained from surface water such as lakes or rivers.

Compared with other EU member states, Austria holds a middle position in drinking water usage. France is most economical (112 litres), Italy holds the peak position (213 litres). An Indian household has to get along with 25 litres per person and day whereas Washington consumes 631 litres.