Airconditioner outlet
An opening in, or a device mounted on, the wall or ceiling through which air from a fixed airconditioner is directed into the room of a dwelling.
Area of usual residence
A person's area of usual residence as classified by the Statistical Region structure in the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC). The classification divides WA into two Major Statistical Regions - the Perth Statistical Division and the Balance of WA. For further information refer to Australian Standard Geographical Classification (cat. no. 1216.0).
Bore water
A source of groundwater brought to the surface by pump or windmill. Households can access bore water from a single household bore (used by one household only) or a multiple household bore (where a bore on one property is used by households on adjoining properties).
Dual flush toilet
A toilet that allows flushing with a small amount of water for the disposal of liquid waste or a large amount of water for the disposal of solid waste. It may have two separate buttons, or one button or lever that is pushed down for full flush and pulled up for half flush.
Evaporative fixed airconditioner
A fixed airconditioner that draws outdoor air through a water filtration system whereby some heat from the air is absorbed through water evaporation. The cooled air is then redirected indoors. For further information, see Fixed airconditioner.
Flat, unit or apartment
All dwellings in blocks of flats, units or apartments. These dwellings usually share a common entrance foyer or stairwell. This category also includes flats attached to houses such as granny flats, and houses converted into two or more flats.
Fixed airconditioner
An apparatus for controlling, especially lowering, the temperature of an enclosed space. It is fixed into the structure of the dwelling, usually in the wall or ceiling.
Front loading washing machine
An automatic washing machine that opens and is loaded from the front.
Gardens or lawns
Private gardens or lawns attached to a dwelling. Communal gardens (e.g. attached to flat, unit or apartment dwellings) were not included.
Hot water system
A device used for heating water in a dwelling. The energy source for heating is generally solar, gas or electricity, although some systems use other sources (e.g. wood combustion). Hot water systems are usually instantaneous or storage/tank systems. An instantaneous hot water system heats water instantly as it flows through the system, whereas a storage/tank hot water system heats water and stores it in a tank until it is needed. Solar hot water systems are predominantly storage systems.
Household
A group of residents of a dwelling who share common facilities and meals or who consider themselves to be a household. It is possible for a dwelling to contain more than one household, for example, where regular provision is made for groups to take meals separately and where persons consider their households to be separate.
Loads of washing done last week
Loads of washing done in a washing machine in the week prior to the survey. A load is defined as all that is put in a washing machine to be washed at the same time.
Mains water supply
Water supplied to a user often through a non-natural network (piped/open channel or other carrier), and where an economic transaction has occurred for the exchange of water. Sometimes referred to as town water supply.
Mulch
Material that is put on the surface of the soil in gardens in order to reduce water evaporation and control weeds. Examples of types of mulch include grass clippings, wood chips, straw, lucerne, hay and newspaper.
Normal flow shower head
A shower head that does not have a water efficient or low flow device fitted to it.
Other dwelling
This includes caravans, cabins, houseboats, sheds, tents, humpies and other improvised homes, or houses or flats attached to a shop, office, etc.
Other toilet
A single flush toilet that has been modified (e.g. by a water displacement device or mechanical disruption of the flush mechanism) to reduce the amount of water used.
Private dwelling
A dwelling that is intended to have people live in it (e.g. house, flat, unit, caravan, houseboat, tent, etc.).
Rainwater tank
A tank used to store rainwater.
Rebate
A financial rebate offered to WA consumers for purchasing water-efficient products (such as front loading washing machines) as part of the State Government Water Strategy Incentive Program introduced in February 2003.
Refrigerated fixed airconditioner
A fixed airconditioner that cools indoor air by blowing it over a refrigeration coil and then redirecting it indoors. The refrigeration coil is cooled externally by a fan or by natural convection using outdoor air. Examples include reverse cycle systems and split systems. For further information, see Fixed airconditioner.
Region of usual residence
A person's region of usual residence as classified by the Statistical Region (SR) structure in the ASGC. It divides WA into seven SRs for the purpose of providing regional statistical output. For further information refer to Australian Standard Geographical Classification (cat. no. 1216.0) and Information Paper: Regional Labour Force Statistics, September 1997 (cat. no. 6262.0).
Reticulation system
A system of permanently fixed pipes or tubing connected to sprinkler heads, drippers or pop-up spray heads that is used to water gardens or lawns.
Re-use of water
A broad range of practices undertaken by households to re-use water from in and around the house for the purpose of watering the garden. Examples include using sophisticated recycled water systems, collecting water from running a shower, and pouring leftover water from water bottles and vases onto gardens/lawns.
Semidetached, row or terrace house, townhouse, etc.
A dwelling that is either attached in some structural way to one or more dwellings or is separated from neighbouring dwellings by less than half a metre. It has its own private grounds and no other dwelling above or below it.
Separate house
A house that stands alone in its own grounds separated from other dwellings by at least half a metre. It may have a flat attached to it, such as a granny flat or converted garage (the flat is categorised under Flat, unit or apartment).
Single flush toilet
An older style toilet that has one button or lever that flushes the full volume of the cistern.
Soaker hose
A hose with small holes along its length that lets water spray out in a fine mist or drip out.
Special dwelling
An establishment that provides predominantly short-term accommodation for communal or group living and often provides common eating facilities (e.g. hotels, motels, hospitals, prisons, short-stay caravan parks, etc.). Persons living in special dwellings were excluded from the scope of this survey.
Sprinkler
A portable watering device that attaches to the end of a hose and sprays water.
Swimming pool/outdoor spa
A swimming pool or outdoor spa situated in the grounds of a private dwelling. Communal swimming pools/outdoor spas (e.g. in the grounds of flat, unit or apartment blocks) were included.
Tenure type
Describes the legal right a person has to occupy a dwelling (e.g. fully owned, being purchased, rented).
Top loading washing machine
An automatic washing machine that opens and is loaded from the top.
Town water supply
See Mains water supply.
Twin tub
A non-automatic washing machine with two tubs that opens and is loaded from the top.
Usual residents
Persons who usually live in a particular private dwelling and regard it as their own or main home. Excludes usual residents who were away from the dwelling for more than six weeks altogether and visitors to the dwelling who do not usually live there, do not regard it as their own or main home, but are temporarily staying there.
Water efficient shower head
A water saving device that restricts water flow through shower heads. Sometimes referred to as a low flow shower head.
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