Mapping domestic water use to quantify water-demand and water-related contaminant exposure in a peri-urban community, Indonesia

Int J Environ Health Res. 2024 Jan;34(1):625-638. doi: 10.1080/09603123.2022.2163986. Epub 2023 Jan 8.

Abstract

Water use of domestic activities was quantified by interviewing 217 people in a peri-urban community near Bandung, Indonesia. Resulting in data on domestic water demand and data needed for exposure modelling of domestic activities: drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, swimming, bathing, laundry, dishwashing, religious cleansing, washing hands and cleaning food. Average total domestic water usage was 117 l/person/day, topping the WHO guidelines for basic needs (50-100 l/person/day). This water use level is comparable with higher income countries for the same set of activities but 100% higher than water use in an Indonesian traditional rural community. The final dataset provides insight in quantity of water used for domestic activities, as well as the use-frequency, duration and water sources used. These data are scarce for Indonesia and other low-middle income countries but necessary for water demand studies and estimating risks through exposure to pathogens and emerging contaminants in human exposure modelling.

Keywords: Indonesia; Water demand; dermal exposure; exposure modelling; oral exposure.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Indonesia
  • Rural Population
  • Water Supply*
  • Water*

Substances

  • Water