17 October 2018

Domestic water use around the world varies significantly

Submitted by: Bronwyn
Domestic water use around the world varies significantly

Innovations make it possible: Less water consumption without noticing 

Water is the world’s elixir of life. However, a study commissioned by the Hansgrohe Group shows that water consumption varies significantly around the world. South Africa’s water consumption far exceeds that of international benchmarks. Average water consumption in South Africa is 235 litres per capita per day compared to a world average of 185. But, in spite of the exceptionally hot summer, South Africa is still away from imposing the kind of strict mandatory water restrictions that went into effect in Cape Town this year.

Extreme Differences in Water Use Around the World—Germans Continue to Lower Consumption Rates

555 cubic metres—this is the average amount of water consumed annually per person in Western Europe. That’s quite a lot compared to Sub-Saharan Africa where average annual per capita consumption is 175 cubic metres. In global comparison, North America has the world’s highest consumption rates, ahead of Australia and New Zealand. Per capita usage is 1,629 cubic metres, more than in any other region on Earth, exceeding that of Sub-Saharan Africa nearly tenfold.But studies also show that over the past 28 years per capita drinking water consumption in Germany, for example, has dropped by about 20 percent. In 1990, Germans used as much as 147 litres of drinking water per day; over the years, this figure has declined to 123 litres daily per person.  About 36 percent of this is used for bathing and showering, putting Germans in the above average range. Americans use roughly 23 percent of their drinking water for personal hygiene; South Africans about 20 percent.

Water Restrictions Not an Issue in Germany

Germany has sufficient water resources despite the exceptionally long, dry summer—unlike California and Cape Town, where per capita water usage has been restricted by law since 2018. With a use limit of 208 litres of water per person per day—to be lowered to 189 litres in the future—Californians still have considerably more water than the inhabitants of Cape Town.  Facing the risk of drought in February 2018, the government restricted water use in the South African capital to 50 litres per person per day.

Save Water with State-of-the-Art Products

Studies show that there are regions where water conservation really is important. In the Western Cape water and energy consumption can be easily reduced with innovative products by Hansgrohe. “Hansgrohe’s EcoSmart technology lowers water consumption in showers, taps and washbasin mixers by up to 60 percent compared to conventional products—without sacrificing design and ease of use,” says Jan Heisterhagen, Vice President Product Management at Hansgrohe SE. “And that’s good for the environment because the less water is used, the less needs to be heated and the less energy is used.” As one of the first companies in the sanitation industry, Hansgrohe has been producing water and energy-saving products since the 1980s and is committed to turning our daily interaction with water into a fresh and unique experience. 

Ends. 

About the Hansgrohe Group – the Original from the Black Forest

With its brands AXOR and hansgrohe, the Hansgrohe Group, based in Schiltach/Southern Germany, enjoys a reputation as a leader in innovation, quality and design within the bath and kitchen industry. The Hansgrohe Group brings form and function to water with taps, showerheads and shower systems. The 117-year history of the company is marked by innovations such as the first hand-held shower with multiple spray types, the first pull-out kitchen tap, and the first wall bar to hold a hand-held shower. The company holds more than 16,000 active property rights. The Hansgrohe Group stands for long-lasting quality products. With 34 subsidiaries and 21 sales offices supplying products in more than 140 countries, the company is a reliable partner to its customers around the world. The Hansgrohe Group, its brands and products have won numerous awards, including more than 500 design prizes since 1974. Sustainable production of resource-conserving products is central to the company’s business activities around the globe. The products of the Hansgrohe Group are featured in projects around the world, such as the luxurious ocean liner Queen Mary 2, and the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The Group’s high quality standards are ensured by five wholly-owned production facilities: two in Germany, one each in France, the United States and China. In 2017, the Hansgrohe Group generated a turnover of EUR 1.077 billion. It employs about 5,000 people worldwide, about 60 percent of whom work in Germany. 

Find out more about the Hansgrohe Group and its brands AXOR and hansgrohe on:www.facebook.com/axor.designwww.facebook.com/hansgrohewww.twitter.com/Hansgrohe_PRwww.instagram.com/axordesignwww.instagram.com/hansgrohe 

Issued By: The Lime Envelope
On Behalf Of: Hansgrohe

For Media Information: Sarah Martin
Bronwyn Levy
Telephone:011 467 9233
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