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  • The Household Water Usage in Northern Ireland 2024/25 report has been published today

    Topics:
    • Water

    Date published: 30 September 2025

    This report, produced by the Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB) of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), presents findings from the 2024/25 Continuous Household Survey (CHS).

    The publication is available on the Water Usage Research webpage

    KEY POINTS

    Individual usage

    • In 2024/25, almost half of respondents (48%) indicated that they shower 7 times a week with around 9 in 10 (89%) showering three or more times a week.
    • When asked how long on average is each shower, more than two-fifths of respondents (45%) indicated an average shower duration of between 2 and 5 minutes with 13% indicating that they shower for more than 10 minutes.
    • Nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents never use, or don’t own a bath and only 8% use a bath more than once a week.

    Household Usage

    • The majority of households (83%) indicated that they have a hosepipe or bucket at home for outside use.
    • When asked how often they used a washing machine, 85% of households indicated that they used a washing machine more than once a week, with 27% indicating that they used it every day.
    • The most common response to being asked about dishwasher usage was not owning a dishwasher at 42%. Almost one-fifth (18%) indicated that they use a dishwasher daily.
    • The majority of households (70%) indicated that they had a dual flush toilet in their home.

    Notes to editors:

    Background

    1. The information presented in this publication derives from the 2024/25 Continuous Household Survey (CHS) in relation to attitudes towards Household water Usage. The CHS is considered to be a representative sample of the population at household level.
    2. In 2024/25, 3,790 households took part in the survey. Within those 3,790 households, a total of 4,584 individuals took part in the survey.
    3. The report provides annual statistics on the use of water by individuals and households including use of showers, dishwashers, washing machines and hosepipes.
    4. The information presented in this publication may be used by the Department to inform and further understand water use within the home.

    Official Statistics

    The statistical report has been produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics, complying with the pillars of Trustworthiness, Quality and Value. You can find further information about the Code of Practice on UK Statistics Authority website.

    Additional Information

    For more information relating to this publication, including additional analysis, breakdowns of data, or alternative formats please contact:

    Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch,
    1st Floor, James House, Gasworks Site,
    2-4 Cromac Avenue, Belfast, 
    BT7 2JA

    • Telephone: (028) 9052 2607
    • E-mail: asrb@nisra.gov.uk
    • Website: www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/topics/dfi-statistics-and-research

    ASRB advise customers to make contact through email or by telephone.

    1. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk .
    2. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
    3. Follow the Department on social media:
    • X - @deptinfra
    • Facebook- @DepartmentforInfrastructure
    • LinkedIn - @DfILinkedIn
    • Instagram - @departmentforinfrastructure
    • Bluesky - @infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

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