Drinking water supply — Needs and resources

All urban and rural areas in Western countries like France are supplied with water by a public distribution system that delivers to the user, at the point of use, in sufficient quantity and under sufficient pressure, water of a quality that meets very strict regulatory criteria, commonly referred to as "potable". In reality, only a very small fraction of the volume drawn off is actually drunk.

Without wishing to give an exhaustive list, we can mention the main uses of this drinking water:

• beverage and culinary needs ;

• toilets, baths, showers, washrooms ;

• dishwashers, washing machines ;

• miscellaneous building cleaning ;

• watering private gardens ;

• CAR WASHING ;

• municipal needs: public establishments (including hospitals), ornamental fountains, watering of squares and parks, street cleaning, sewer cleaning, etc. ;

• fire fighting ;

• industrial needs ;

• in rural communities: livestock watering and sometimes irrigation (usually using separate networks).

In reality, satisfying most of these needs would not require the use of water that could be drunk without inconvenience, or even with pleasure. However, the health authorities require that this water, with which users come into contact and which they may inadvertently or ignorantly consume, meets the regulatory criteria for public water intended for human consumption. This partly explains why dual "potable - non-potable" distribution is not widespread; purely economic considerations also justify this position, especially when it involves supplying a large area with multiple consumers whose unit requirements are relatively low.

On the other hand, water supply and distribution systems for industry and agriculture are created whenever the quantities to be supplied are sufficiently large, relatively localized and well individualized to justify specific distribution facilities.