New water report integrates behavioural change into demand forecasting and water efficiency practices
Water companies are interested in the way customers use water and the effect these behaviours, practices and habits have on the total demand for water Additionally, these behaviours change over time. So water companies need to forecast and understand how these behaviours could improve efforts to reduce household water use.
This recently published UKWIR report utilises a survey of 1,000 questionnaire respondents, of which a sub-sample of 62 respondents were monitored with high resolution data-logged water meters.
Consequently, three groups have been identified that use water in different ways through the day, allowing them to be defined for the broader population, based on socio-demographic and property characteristics.
Framework guidance for water efficiency practice is provided on this. The work was supported by a literature review as well as consultation with water companies on their current approaches to gathering customer data.
Guidance is also provided for developing a standardised questionnaire for collecting information on customer water for use throughout the industry.
The report comprises an A4, wiro-bound 88 pages hard copy, accompanied by a CD with 7 supporting Appendices. It was produced in collaboration with the Environment Agency and Consumer Council for Water.