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In May 2000, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) produced the first update of Australian water usage since 1985 (Water Account for Australia 1993-1994 to 1996-97). This document was part of a series developed in accordance with agreements made at the United Nations Conference for Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. This publication was subsequently updated in 2004 (reflecting 2000/2001 figures) and again in 2006 to reflect figures for the year 2004/2005 (Water Account for Australia, 2004-2005, ABS Catalogue No. 4610.0) (http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/34D00D44C3DFB51CCA2568A900143BDE?Open ). However, comparisons with information in the earlier account must be made with caution, owing to changes in data sources and some concepts. In February 2001, the National Land and Water Resources Audit published the Australian Water Resources Assessment 2000 – surface and groundwater availability and quality (http://www.anra.gov.au/topics/water/pubs/national/water_contents.html), the first comprehensive national audit of Australia's surface water and groundwater resources covering water quantity and water quality. Both publications provide estimates of water use in Australia and the two relatively independent approaches corroborate each other. The latter one indicates that groundwater use, particularly in Queensland , had been underestimated previously. Another relevant publication on water use in Australia is the ABS publication Environmental Issues: People's Views and Practices, Catalogue No. 4602.0 (http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4602.0Main+Features1Mar%202006?OpenDocument). This annual survey collects information on environmental behaviours and practices of Australian households. Three survey themes rotate over three years: water use and conservation; energy use and conservation; and waste management and transport use. The March 2004 survey focused on water use. The ABS data on urban water use are regarded as being the most accurate information source and have therefore been used here. |
In 2004/05 about 0.9 megalitres of fresh water was used for each of the 20 million Australians. This does not mean that each Australian uses this amount each year, most use only a small fraction of that amount.
Most of this water is used for agriculture, especially irrigation, to grow food and other commodities for consumption in Australia and for export.
Overall water consumption decreased by about 14% in 2004/05 compared to 200/01.
A topical issue for water authorities at the moment is the competing value of water between users and the environment and, in particular, the adverse effects of inappropriate use.
As a result, water extracted from the environment is increasingly being priced at a figure better reflecting its true value. This is resulting in major changes in the use of water for agriculture, especially irrigation.
Consumption of water in Australia varies from year to year due to a variety of factors, including the weather. In dry years more water is used.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has collected and published detailed data on an estimated 18 767 GL of water consumed in Australia in 2004-05:
• Agriculture accounted for 65 per cent
• Households eleven per cent
• Water supply eleven per cent
• Electricity and gas generation one per cent
• Manufacturing industry three per cent
• Mining industry two per cent
• Other industries six per cent
(a) Includes Services to agriculture; hunting and trapping.
(b) Includes Sewerage and drainage services.
(c) Includes water losses.
Mains water accounts for 36 per cent of total water use, and about 96 per cent of Australian dwellings are connected to a mains water supply.
Reuse water made up 425 GL of water supplied or used by water providers in
2004–05, a 16% decrease from 2000–01 when it was 507 GL. In both reference years,
reuse water represented just under 4% of total water supplied by water providers.
This compares to 134 GL and 1% in 1996–97. Reuse water is defined by the ABS as wastewater that may have been treated to some extent and was then used again without discharge to the environment. Only reuse water supplied to a customer by a water provider is included in this figure; water reused on-site (for example water reused within a manufacturing plant) is not included.
According to the ABS figures, most water is consumed in NSW (32 per cent) and Victoria (27 per cent). Queensland’s water consumption rose 4 per cent since 2000-01 to 23 per cent of the national total. The other states and territories consume the remaining 18 per cent.
Consumer's Guide to Drinking Water - December 2006