Water consumption in France: history, contemporary trends,determinants

Abstract

While household water consumption in France was increasing steadily before the 1990s, it then began to stabilize and then decline. The purpose of this article is first to describe past and contemporary trends in this phenomenon. This will be illustrated by concrete cases, notably that of the Nantes Metropolis. Secondly, we will try to explain the trends observed by seeking to understand the main determinants of water consumption: e.g. demographic, climatic, economic and socio-cultural factors.