§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the daily average consumption of water by (i) children aged(a) zero to five years, (b) six to 12 years and (c) 13 to 18 years and 689W (ii) adults aged (1) 19 to 65 years and (2) over 65 years; and in each case what is the figure as a percentage of the daily public water supply; [6796]
(2) what estimate he has made of the percentage of public water for household consumption; and what percentage of this figure is used for drinking purposes. [6797]
§ Mr. ClappisonI have been asked to reply.
Household usage constitutes approximately 70 per cent. of the volume of public water supplies in England and Wales. Approximately 0.63 per cent. of the average household supply is used for drinking purposes as tap water, or as tap water-based beverages.
The latest research into drinking water consumption habits, published by MEL Research does not report against the exact age bands requested. However, extrapolation from published data indicates that the approximate total water consumptions in litres per day are as follows: zero to five years, 0.75 litres (0.5 per cent.); six to 12 years 1.1 litres (0.7 per cent.); 13 to 18 years 1.4 litres (0.9 per cent.); 19 to 65 years 1.7 litres (1.1 per cent.); and over 65 years 1.7 litres (1.1 per cent.). Figures in parentheses represent consumption expressed as a percentage of the average per capita usage of 160 litres per day.
The survey of drinking water consumption was funded by my Department. Copies of the report "Tap Water Consumption: Findings from the 1995 National Survey" have been placed in the Library of the House.