Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the daily water intake, types of drinking water and the influencing factors among adult residents in different regions of Guangdong Province (GP), so as to accumulate basic data for developing regional drinking water exposure parameters.MethodsResidents aged 18 years and above were selected from 14 prefectural cities in GP by multistage stratified cluster random sampling method. The data of general information, drinking habits and physical conditions were collected by questionnaire survey or by using measuring instruments. The data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regressions.ResultsA total of 3 441 residents were surveyed. The average consumption amounts of total, direct and main indirect drinking water were 1 841, 1 208, and 633 mL/d, respectively. The average consumption amounts of direct drinking water from high to low were plain water (827 mL/d), tea (359 mL/d), beverage (19 mL/d), and coffee (3 mL/d). The average consumption amounts of main indirect water included water in staple food (479 mL/d) and water in soup (154 mL/d). According to the residential areas, the average volume of total water intake from high to low were western GP (1 935 mL/d), Pearl River delta region (1 902 mL/d), eastern GP (1 827 mL/d) and northern GP (1 700 mL/d). The average volume of direct water intake from high to low were Pearl River delta region (1 372 mL/d), western GP (1 124 mL/d), northern GP (1 106 mL/d), and eastern GP (1 098mL/d). While the average volume of indirect water intake from high to low were western GP (811 mL/d), eastern GP (729 mL/d), northern GP (594mL/d), and Pearl River delta region (530mL/d) (all P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression showed except for the regional difference, gender, age, education level, BMI, and blood pressure were factors influencing consumption habits of water intake.ConclusionThe regional difference was an important factor influencing daily water consumption of adult residents in GP. Health risk assessment for drinking water should be conducted by using regional characteristics of drinking water exposure parameters.