Patterns of tourism and residential water consumption on the coast of Alicante (Spain) (2005-2015). A trend unequally influenced by urban typology and occupation.

The Spanish Mediterranean coastline has experienced a significant urban growth related to tourist activity since 1960. The aim of this research is to define and to analyse water consumption trend along the coast of province of Alicante (2005-2015), taking into account a hypothetical increase in water consumption due to the increase in dwelling and users connected to the network during the last real estate bubble (1997-2008). To do this, real billing data of dwelling were analysed according to the different urban typologies and type of occupation and an analysis of hotels consumption. The conclusions drawn include facts as there has been a change of trend from the middle of the 2000s and water consumption has been fell since the mid-2000s. In addition, it is also detected that a slight increase of water consumption has produced in certain typologies of tourist and residential function since 2000.