NAME OF ORGANISATION
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
OVERVIEW
The WA Domestic Water Use (DWU) survey is a once only collection covering water-using appliances and the water-use behaviours of households in WA. It collects domestic water use data from households in a sample of private dwellings and includes information about sources of water supply; types of hot water systems; use of washing machines, dishwashers, dual flush toilets, water efficient shower heads and baths; types of fixed airconditioners; use of mulch on the garden; methods used to water gardens/lawns; re-use of water; types of swimming pools/outdoor spas and use of pool/outdoor spa covers. Estimates are available for households in WA classified by area of usual residence (Perth/Balance of WA), region of usual residence, household type, household size, dwelling type and tenure type.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the collection is to understand the patterns and characteristics of water use by households in WA. In a time of water shortages, data relating to household water usage is important for water demand management. The information collected will assist water service providers, state and local governments and other interested organisations in developing appropriate and effective behavioural change strategies to encourage water conservation among WA households.
SCOPE
The DWU survey was conducted as a supplement to the ABS Monthly Population Survey (MPS) in October 2003. It was conducted on a subset of the full sample of private dwellings in WA that were included in the MPS. It covered all persons who were usual residents of private dwellings except:
- members of the Australian permanent defence forces;
- certain diplomatic personnel of overseas governments, customarily excluded from censuses and surveys;
- overseas residents in Australia;
- members of non-Australian defence forces (and their dependents) stationed in Australia; and
- persons living in sparsely settled areas of WA.
Coverage rules were applied to ensure that each person was associated with only one dwelling, and hence had only one chance of selection in the survey.
DATA DETAIL
Conceptual framework
Not applicable
Main outputs
Households: sources of water supply, water heating, indoor water use and outdoor water use data items, by geographical area, by household characteristics and by dwelling characteristics.
Classifications
Geographical area is classified by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC). Estimates are published at the Major Statistical Region level (Perth/Balance of WA).
Other concepts (summary)
Not applicable
GEOGRAPHIC DETAIL
Western Australia
Major Statistical Region
Statistical Region
Comments and/or Other Regions
Not applicable
COLLECTION FREQUENCY
Once Only
Frequency comments
Not applicable
COLLECTION HISTORY
Not applicable
DATA AVAILABILITY
Yes
Data availability comments
Key data from the DWU survey are published in Domestic Water Use, Western Australia (cat. no. 4616.5.55.001). Additional data from the survey is available on request as a chargeable service.
DATE OF LAST UPDATE FOR THIS DOCUMENT
27/08/2004 02:31 PM
