By employing the information-reshuffling method that integrates census data, precipitation data and inquiry data of water consumption, this paper discusses η (water consumption coefficient of peoples living) in allusion to different precipitation zones and different periods of time. The study shows that η 1(water consumption coefficient of urban peoples living), η2 (water consumption coefficient of rural peoples living) and increase with time passing, and the increasing extent ofη is 1.84, 2.62, 2.84 and 2.68times respectively from the west to the east, which results from the total quantity of water resources and the speed of urbanization, η1 and η2 of each precipitation zone increased with η1 increasing more quickly than η2, and the difference between the two also increased when time passed. In the past fifty years (1950-2000), the increasing extent of η1 was 1.71,2.96, 2.41 and 2.33 times respectively from the west to the east, in which 200-400mm precipitation zone increased more than others. Meanwhile the increasing extent of η2 is 1.55, 1.60, 1.53 and 1.64 times respectively from the west to the east with each precipitation zone increasing similarly. The change of η1 is due to the speed of urbanization and the stability of water resources. This study provides basis for calculating the water demand of peoples living and revealing the impact ofwater demand of peoples living on ecological drought in different zones.