DROUGHT DRIVES DOWN WATER CONSUMPTION
The Water Account, Australia, 2004-05 (cat. no. 4610.0) was released in November 2006. It is part of a series of physical environment accounts and focuses on the physical characteristics of Australia's water resources.
Key findings from the publication include:
- Water consumption in Australia decreased by nearly 3,000 Gigalitres (GL), or 14%, between 2000-01 and 2004-05, largely due to drought.
- For 2004-05, the Australian economy consumed 18,767 GL. The Agriculture industry accounted for 65% of this, households 11%, water supply industry 11%, manufacturing 3%, mining 2%, and electricity and gas 1%.
- Total water consumption for NSW was higher than any other State or Territory in 2004-05, amounting to 32% of total water consumption in Australia.
- In NSW, household water use per capita was 84 Kilolitres (KL), the second lowest of all States and Territories.
- Household water consumption in NSW and ACT combined decreased by 10% between 2000-01 and 2004-05.
- Of the total water consumed by the water industry in NSW (11%), water losses constituted the majority.
For further information contact Michael Vardon (02) 6252 7348, or the ABS National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070, email client.services@abs.gov.au.
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