5.4 Introduction

5.4.1. In Detail ...

5.4.2. Technical Details ...

5.4.3. Maintenance

5.4 Introduction

Water is a product and the supply of water is a service - a utility.

Water comes in many forms. For human consumption we need clean water. The degree of what is considered clean varies widely around the world. However, in countries where clean drinking water is supplied to households, schools, shops, etc. in pipes running through streets to their point of use most of this clean water is actually not used for drinking and the high level of cleanliness is not actually required.

A lot of water is flushed down toilets and instantly polluted again.

Historically it was not like this. When centralised water supplies where developed most toilets were not water flushed, not even in the house. Thus water was used mainly for direct human consumption and the improvements should not be underestimated in improving health and well-being of large populations in cities.

The relatively low cost of clean water then let to the introduction of water flushing toilets moving them into the centre of our houses. Ever increasing hygiene, industrialisation and other creature comforts drove up water consumption to today's 160l or so per day per person in industrialised countries.

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