Water Uses during COVID-19 Lockdown

• New York (NY) is the hardest hit by COVID-19 outbreak, and its water consumption is 28% for home use (30.9 gallons) daily. Peak demand in water usage happens in the afternoon, people get off from e-school and work to use the restroom, wash their hands, or prep meals [5].

• Riverhead Water District (NY, U.S.) has observed a huge increase of water usage this summer, stressing the district’s water supply and infrastructure beyond capacity [1].

• Similarly, in Massachusetts’ (U.S.) water usage from non-essential business district (such as in Boston and Waltham) dropped about 13% [3].

• Also, there is an increase in domestic water consumption in Bengaluru, India in April [4].

• In Karlsruhe, Germany, it is found that regular morning water usage has shifted from 7:10 am to 9:40 am as compare to the water use in the same month of the previous year[2].

1. Civiletti, D. (2020, July 03). Riverhead to implement immediate, mandatory water conservation measures. Retrieved January 24, 2021, from https://riverheadlocal.com/2020/07/02/riverhead-to-implement-immediate-mandatory-water-conservation-measures/

2. CASE STUDY: Data links Covid-19 lockdowns to consumption change. Retrieved January 24, 2021,from https://www.aquatechtrade.com/news/utilities/covid-19-lockdowns-impact-water-consumption/

3. Greaney, A. (2020, May 09). Water Use Has Declined During Boston's Stay-at-Home Order - But Not Everywhere. Retrieved January 24, 2021, from https://www.nbcboston.com/news/coronavirus/water-use-declined-boston-stay-at-home-order-not-everywhere/2121513/

4. K.R., J. (2020, April 24). 15% spike in domestic water consumption in Bengaluru. Retrieved January 24, 2021,from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/15-spike-in-domestic-water-consumption/article31418375.ece

5. Mendoza, N. (2020, June 02). US home water use up 21% daily during COVID-19 crisis. Retrieved January 24, 2021, from https://www.techrepublic.com/article/us-home-water-use-up-21-daily-during-covid-19-crisis/