Understanding changes in residential water consumption during the covid-19 pandemic: A sociodemographic analysis in Southern Brazil

This study explores changes in residential water consumption patterns in São Leopoldo, southern Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on sociodemographic variables. The analysis is based on data from 49,712 users across 356 census tracts, comparing pre-pandemic (2017–2020) and pandemic (2020−2022) periods. Water consumption in both periods was classified into nine categories, and the changes between these categories over time were assessed. The changes in consumption by census tract were examined using decision trees to determine how variables such as the number of residents per household, income, and education level influenced consumption behavior. Approximately 50.3% of users changed their water consumption habits during the pandemic; among these, 59.4% registered an increase in consumption, while 40.6% showed a decrease. Census tracts with a higher proportion of low-income families and more residents per household were more likely to show changes in water consumption, possibly due to changes in the length of time these residents stayed at home. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected residential water consumption patterns, and socioeconomic and demographic factors played crucial roles in these changes. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering sociodemographic factors in urban water resource management, especially in times of crisis. • 50.3% of residential users changed their water consumption during the pandemic. • 59.4% of users with change increased their residential water consumption. • Low-income, high-occupancy areas showed the highest consumption variation. • CART models reached up to 70.6% accuracy in classifying consumption change. • Social class and household size were key predictors of consumption behavior.