Water usage in Dutch households on the decline

VOORBURG – The volume of water used in Dutch households and in industry has dropped steadily, the Central Bureau for Statistics reports. Between 2003 and 2006, Dutch industry used two percent less per year, while households have been using less water since 1990. The population increased during that period but their volume has dropped seven percent during the same time. The decline has been noted both for tap water as well as for ground water. Agriculture and industry respectively used 14 and 13 percent less ground water between 2003 and 2006. Households use two thirds of all Dutch tap water, and in 2006, the average home used 44.7 cubic meters of water annually.