Analysis of the Impact of the Air Temperature on Water Consumption for Household Purposes in Rural Households

The paper presents a research hypothesis assumed that the air temperature affects the amount of the water consumption per capita for household purposes (indoor water use). Investigations were conducted based on daily water meter readings of several rural households located in Mszana Górna and Włostowice (Southern Poland). Owing to the double water consumption metering, it was possible to determine the daily water consumption in households, separately for household purposes and for additional purposes. In the performed analysis, the correlation between the average daily air temperature and daily water consumption per capita was tested. For this purpose, correlation coefficients were determined and a 95% confidence interval was assumed. The obtained results showed lack of a clear dependence between the tested variables. Depending on the household, correlation coefficients indicate the existence of a correlation from slight, by weak to moderate. In addition, it was tested that the growth of the air temperature by 1°C caused an increase of the water consumption per capita in the range of 0.14 dm3•d-1•C-1•°C-1 and 1.17 dm3•d-1•C-1•°C-1 (Mszana Górna) and 0.41 dm3•d-1•C-1•°C-1 and 1.78 dm3•d-1•C-1•°C-1 (Włostowice). It can be concluded that often rapid growth of the water consumption in households in spring and summer season and the term of “water consumption per capita” used in this case, primarily concern greater water demand for additional purposes, not for residents’ household purposes.