No. of Tap Water Consumers Doubles in 15 Years

Luxembourg's Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, the Water Management Authority and the Luxembourg Association of Water Services (Aluseau asbl) have commissioned a survey to assess current habits regarding the consumption of tap water in the Grand Duchy.

The aim of the survey, which was carried out by TNS Ilres in August 2020, was to better understand people's dispositions and motivations for drinking tap water in order to better promote its sustainable use. The survey also made it possible to measure the evolution of these dispositions and behaviours towards water consumption by making a comparison with the results of a similar study carried out in 2006/2007 by Aluseau asbl.

The 2020 study revealed that 82% of Luxembourg's residents drink tap water (58% drink this daily). This shows a strong positive trend compared to 2006 when these figures were 40% and 28% respectively. 44% of residents said they drink more tap water now than ten years ago. Their motivations were that it is more ecological (78% of respondents), less expensive (59%), more practical (51%) and that tap water is of good quality because it is very controlled (47%).

Three-quarters of residents today found that tap water tastes good in their homes. Half of them considered the taste the same or even better than that of bottled water.
Only 18% of residents today never drink tap water, a figure that has fallen sharply compared to 60% in 2006. They attributed their reluctance to the lime in tap water, a lack of confidence or the taste of tap water.

The ideas that spontaneously came to mind for “tap water” were mostly positive for 63% of residents: good taste, good health, good quality, inexpensive. Almost all residents (94%) agreed that water is precious, limited and should be protected. For the preservation of water resources, more than three-quarters of the population said they already practised responsible daily behaviour (hygiene, laundry).

Carole Dieschbourg, Luxembourg's Minister of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, explained: "The results of the study will be the starting point of an initiative to promote the consumption of tap water as a healthy and ecologically sustainable habit. The initiative will also aim to provide citizens with better access to reliable information on water quality and to promote greater awareness of the value of our water resources and of the good deeds that everyone can do to protect them".

In addition to the three aforementioned partners, the municipalities play a central role in increasing the population's confidence in tap water. Minister Carole Dieschbourg added: “The results of the survey show that more than 80% of Luxembourg residents drink tap water, and almost 60% do so daily. These figures highlight the extent of the responsibility of the entities that manage our drinking water and especially of the municipalities and unions since they are the main interlocutor of citizens in this area".

Georges Kraus, president of Aluseau asbl, thanked consumers for the confidence they have in the quality of drinking water. He stressed that this ensures that drinking water suppliers will continue their efforts to further improve the quality and strengthen consumer confidence in this precious liquid, while continuing to invest, ensuring safe and sustainable operation, ensuring strict quality control (and at very high frequency) and by reinforcing the dialogue with consumers.

Jean-Paul Lickes, Director of the Water Management Authority, pointed out: “Tap water in Luxembourg is in fact one of the most regulated, controlled and safe foods available. For example in 2020 alone, the AGE [Water Management Authority] analysed 4,360 water samples from water systems, reservoirs, springs and boreholes. The municipalities and the unions carried out analyses on more than 7,500 water samples taken at the source, at the treatment and in their distribution networks". Routine compliance control tests include the analysis of 27 parametres covering bacteriological and physico-chemical aspects. Comprehensive compliance control tests include the analysis of 193 parametres covering bacteriology, physico-chemistry, spectroscopy and organic materials such as drugs, pesticides and volatiles.

Given the current trends towards the consumption of tap water, the Environment Ministry considers the drinking water directive, approved by the European Parliament, to be timely. The directive was the result of a Europea-wide petition.