Summary:

The volume and variability of water consumption by inhabitants of town of Mszana Dolna was defined on the basis of readings from meters in 35 buildings in the period 2001–2007. The analysis performed showed that the average daily wa-ter consumption in Mszana Dolna totalled 78,79 dm³.d^-1.M^-1 in single family houses and 83,80 dm³.d^-1.M^-1 in block of apartments, which is similar to water consumption in other places across southern Poland. In the buildings analyzed, a continuous drop in water consumption was recorded, which in the period ana-lyzed reached 25% in houses and 15,5% in blocks of apartments. The number of units of water consumed in houses also decreased despite the increase in the num-ber of inhabitants. Average daily water consumption in single family houses reached a peak in summer, while lowest water consumption levels were recorded in autumn. Differences in water consumption volumes in particular seasons in blocks of apartments are marginal. Average household consumption was by 21,2% lower than the consumption levels specified in the standard, while the difference in block of apartments amounted to 47,6%.