A resident of Tallinn consumes about a quarter less water than a resident of Helsinki.

A resident of Tallinn uses an average of 95 litres of tap water per day, which is about a quarter less than a resident of the neighbouring capital, Helsinki.

In Helsinki, daily per‑capita water consumption is 130 litres, while in Stockholm it is as much as 140 litres. The average daily water consumption in the European Union is 144 litres per person.

“Estonians’ water‑conserving habits are encouraging. Drinking water is a valuable natural resource subject to very strict quality requirements. That is why it is important to use clean tap water consciously and purposefully,” said Kristiina Soovik, Head of Water Treatment at Tallinna Vesi. She added that drinking the amount of water the body needs every day is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.

However, water consumption varies significantly between counties in Estonia — by as much as twofold. According to data from the Environmental Portal, the highest daily water consumption per person is in Pärnu County, where it exceeds 126 litres. The lowest consumption is in Järva County, at 82.66 litres per person. The average water consumption in Harju County is approximately 104 litres.

According to Soovik, regional differences may be influenced by both the origin of the water supply and local economic activity. “The city of Pärnu is a good example — many spas operate there, and their functioning requires significant amounts of water,” she added.

If we assume that an average bathtub holds 150 litres of water, a resident of Tallinn consumes approximately 230 bathtubs’ worth of water per year. Domestic water consumption includes all water used from the tap — whether for drinking, food preparation, showering or other daily activities.

Soovik emphasised that tap water should not be used for activities that do not require drinking‑quality water. “Watering lawns or washing cars with clean tap water is not reasonable. Every litre we consciously save is important for both the natural environment and future generations,” she said.

Over the past thirty years, domestic water consumption in Estonia has decreased by almost half. In 2024, a total of 44.2 million cubic metres of domestic water was used in Estonia. The decline is due to more efficient consumption habits, reduced water losses as a result of pipeline renovations, and a general decrease in population.

World Water Day is marked on 22 March, with the aim of drawing attention to the value of clean tap water. In Estonia, Europe and around the world, the sustainable use of water is receiving increasing attention.

AS Tallinna Vesi is the largest water utility in Estonia, serving nearly 25,000 residential and business customers and approximately 500,000 end users.