ABSTRACT Water is indispensable to human life. Data on water consumption are essential for many health-related analyses. However, water consumption patterns vary significantly due to many factors, such as region, culture, and season. A survey was conducted on the drinking water intake of adults in typical cities in the major river basins of China. The intake rates of direct plain water, indirect plain water, commercial beverages, total plain water, and total water were assessed. The total plain water intake and total water intake were 1,777 and 1,942 ml/day for males, and 1,564 and 1,678 ml/day for females, respectively. Water intake varies depending on gender, age, body mass index, and seasonal and regional fluctuations. Region is the most important factor influencing the intake of total plain water, direct plain water, and total water, followed by season and gender. The intake of indirect plain water is mainly related to the region. Age is the most important factor affecting commercial beverage intake. A value of 1,666 ml/day is proposed as the recommended daily total plain water intake rate for use in exposure assessments in the Chinese context.