Effect of COVID-19 on Tap Water Consumption in Gyeongsangbuk-do

To understand the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on tap water consumption, we analyzed the patterns of tap water usage in 23 cities and counties in Gyeongsangbuk-do from 2016 to 2023. During this period, data on household, general (for businesses, enterprises, and stores), and public bathing water usage in Gyeongsangbuk-do were collected from the Ministry of Environment's statistics. Additionally, annual population data were gathered from the National Statistical Portal. Most cities and counties in Gyeongsangbuk-do have been experiencing a declining population trend; however, this trend accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Despite population decline and the pandemic, overall tap water consumption showed an increasing trend each year from 2016 to 2023. Compared to the pre-COVID-19 period (2016-2019), household water usage generally increased during the height of the pandemic (2020-2021). In contrast, the usage of general water and public bathing water showed a decreasing trend. Considering that the usage proportions of household, general, and public bathing water returned to 2019 levels during the recovery period from 2022 to 2023, it is evident that the changes in lifestyle, such as heightened awareness of hygiene and cleanliness and social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, temporarily impacted tap water usage patterns.