Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on water consumption behaviour

Abstract

Access to drinking water is essential for life, and an adequate and constant distribution of water is necessary during the occurrence of contagious diseases and pandemic situations. Currently, COVID-19, caused by the SARS-COV-2 coronavirus, has spread throughout the world, and in Brazil, more than 5,300,000 cases and 157,000 deaths had been reported by 26th October 2020. Water is regarded as one of the most important resources in a pandemic, in order to provide the necessary sanitary conditions. Thus, the present study aims to analyse changes in hygiene behaviour in relation to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation and the impact on water consumption before and during the pandemic. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire, which was delivered online to 149 participants between June and July 2020. The results pointed to changes in hygiene behaviour, with a consequent effect on water consumption.

COVID‐19 and water demand: A review of literature and research evidence

“…Overall, the literature indicated that complex and varied distributions and changes to water consumption patterns occurred across different communities and households (Abu‐Bakar et al, 2021; Alda‐Vidal et al, 2020; Balacco et al, 2020; Berglund & DiCarlo, 2020; Kalbusch et al, 2020; Rizvi et al, 2020; Campos et al, 2021; Cvetković et al, 2021; Dzimińska et al, 2021; Irwin et al, 2021; Kim et al, 2021; Li et al, 2021; Lüdtke et al, 2021; Menneer et al, 2021; Zanocco et al, 2021). While these were focused on changes to morning demand patterns and peak demand hours, changes throughout the day (both on weekdays and weekends) were noted.…”

“…This suggests that water use response during stay-at-home orders were different in households with and without children. Campos et al (2021) used questionnaires and survey techniques to assess changes in water consumption behavior in Brazil because of COVID-19, looking at changes in hand hygiene, personal hygiene (showering and washing), house cleaning and laundry as well as food preparation. Their research sought to look at behavior changes before and after the pandemic, charting differences in households with elderly respondents and those with adults aged 20-60.…”

“…Other articles make reference to “behavior,” “practices,” and “social structure” (Balacco et al, 2020; Berglund & DiCarlo, 2020; Campos et al, 2021; Cvetković et al, 2021; Irwin et al, 2021; Kalbusch et al, 2020; Kim et al, 2021; Li et al, 2021; Rizvi et al, 2020), but these are mainly reflective comments with no explicit application of a theoretical framework. Expanding on this, Cvetković et al (2021) discuss behavior and water‐use practices through their analysis of the impacts different COVID‐19 safety measures (ranging from initial personal‐hygiene advice such as increased hand washing and room ventilation to social and economic restrictions akin to stay at home messaging including a near total ban on movement) have on different members of the household and their water‐based practices.…”

“…In the rapid evidence review, a few research projects that used qualitative data methods were identified (Alda‐Vidal et al, 2020; Campos et al, 2021; Zanocco et al, 2021). Alda‐Vidal et al (2020) use of focus groups allowed for the analysis of how specific water use activities such as hygiene practices and outdoor use have altered because of COVID‐19 lockdowns, providing evidence which explains the changing water consumption levels and demand patterns seen in the literature.…”

Romanian Students’ Environment-Related Routines during COVID-19 Home Confinement: Water, Plastic, and Paper Consumption

“…Even if official statistics regarding this topic are practically non-existent, researchers have studied these societal changes in different parts of the world, e.g., England [53,54], Germany [55], Uganda [56], Brazil [57]. In the case of Brazil, for instance, the showering routine increased by 32.4% during the lockdown, in comparison to the pre-COVID-19 period [58]. All these studies show a clear increase in domestic water consumption during lockdown and, thus, on people's incomes, and were undertaken with the purpose of creating forecast models on household water consumption for better water supply during emergency times.…”