NBC 2016 – BIS Water Requirements
Estimation of Water Requirements for Drinking and Domestic Use
Overview and Compliance
The National Building Code (NBC) 2016, issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), provides standardized norms for estimating water requirements for drinking and domestic use across residential, commercial, and institutional buildings.
Understanding water demand is crucial for architects, planners, and environmental engineers to design water supply systems that are both adequate and resource-efficient, ensuring efficient water management and planning.
1. Water Requirement for Residential Buildings
Estimated Population per Dwelling Unit (NBC Standards)
| Dwelling Unit Category | Estimated Persons per Unit |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Unit | 4 persons |
| 2 Bedroom Unit | 5 persons |
| 3 Bedroom Unit | 6 persons |
| 4 Bedroom Unit and above | 7 persons |
| EWS Category | 4 persons |
| Studio Apartment | 2 persons |
These figures include support personnel where applicable.
Per Capita Water Supply Standards (Litres per head per day – lphd)
| Population Category | Water Supply Type | Per Capita Water Supply (lphd) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 20,000 | Stand post supply | 40 (Minimum) |
| Up to 20,000 | House connection | 70–100 |
| 20,000 to 100,000 | Full flushing system | 100–135 |
| Above 100,000 | Full flushing system | 150–200 |
Note: Out of the 150–200 lphd, approximately 45 lphd is allocated for flushing, with the remainder for other domestic uses. Supply for MIG, LIG, and EWS housing may be reduced to 135 lphd, depending on water availability.
2. Water Requirements for Non-Residential & Commercial Buildings
| Sl. No. | Type of Building | Domestic (lphd) | Flushing (lphd) | Total (lphd) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Factories with bathrooms | 30 | 15 | 45 |
| 2 | Factories without bathrooms | 20 | 10 | 30 |
| 3 | Hospitals ($\le 100$ beds) | 230 | 110 | 340 |
| 4 | Hospitals ($> 100$ beds) | 300 | 150 | 450 |
| 5 | Nurses’ homes / Medical quarters | 90 | 45 | 135 |
| 6 | Hostels | 90 | 45 | 135 |
| 7 | Hotels (up to 3-star) | 120 | 60 | 180 |
| 8 | Hotels (4-star & above) | 260 | 60 | 320 |
| 9 | Offices (with canteen) | 25 | 20 | 45 |
| 10 | Restaurants | 55 | 15 | 70 |
| 11 | Food courts | 25 | 10 | 35 |
| 12 | Clubhouses | 25 | 20 | 45 |
| 13 | Stadiums | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| 14 | Cinemas, Theatres, Multiplexes (per seat) | 5 | 10 | 15 |
| 15 | Schools (without boarding) | 25 | 20 | 45 |
| 16 | Schools (with boarding) | 90 | 45 | 135 |
| 17 | Shopping Malls (Staff) | 25 | 20 | 45 |
| 18 | Shopping Malls (Visitors) | 5 | 10 | 15 |
| 19 | Airports | 40 | 30 | 70 |
| 20 | Railway Stations (Junction with baths) | 40 | 30 | 70 |
| 21 | Railway Stations (Intermediate without baths) | 15 | 10 | 25 |
| 22 | Interstate Bus Terminals | 25 | 20 | 45 |
| 23 | Metro/Intrastate Bus Terminals | 10 | 5 | 15 |
Additional Notes and Considerations
- Visitor Consumption: Average water use for visitors may be considered as 15 litres per person per day.
- Hospitals: Estimates must include demand for patients, attendants, staff, and visitors. Laundry and kitchen water demand must be calculated separately.
- Traffic Terminals: Population should be estimated based on average daily passenger handling, including staff and vendors.
- Seasonal Peaks: Calculations must account for higher seasonal or event-based usage in demand calculations.
❓ 5 Most Searched FAQs on NBC 2016 Water Standards
1. What are the per capita water supply standards for large population categories (above 100,000)?
For populations above 100,000, the standard is 150–200 lphd (litres per head per day) using a full flushing system.
2. How is the population estimated for a typical 3-bedroom dwelling unit according to NBC 2016?
The estimated population for a 3-bedroom unit is 6 persons. For a 1-bedroom unit, it’s 4 persons, and a Studio Apartment is 2 persons.
3. What is the total water requirement for a hospital with less than 100 beds?
The total requirement for hospitals with $\le 100$ beds is 340 lphd (230 lphd domestic and 110 lphd flushing).
4. What is the prescribed total water requirement for an office building that includes a canteen?
For Offices with a canteen, the total water requirement is 45 lphd (25 lphd domestic and 20 lphd flushing).
5. What is the total water requirement per seat for cinemas, theatres, or multiplexes?
The total water requirement is 15 litres per seat (5 litres domestic and 10 litres flushing).
Need Help with BIS/NBC Water Estimation?
Our team provides expert consultation on accurate water demand estimation, plumbing design compliance, and sustainable water resource planning as per NBC 2016 and BIS guidelines.
WhatsApp / Call: 9279550247
Website: CGWAcompliance.com