4618.4 - Domestic Use of Water and Energy, South Australia, Oct 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 14/04/2005   
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MEDIA RELEASE

April 14, 2005
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
53/2005
More SA Households Conserving Water: ABS

One in four South Australian households undertook some water conservation actions for the first time during the year ending October 2004, according to an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) survey released today.

A year after the state government introduced watering restrictions 10% of households reported that for the first time they used a soaking method to water their gardens and lawns. Other first time activities included using mulch (9% of households), stopping watering lawns (8%) and planting drought tolerant plants or lawn (8%).

Including first timers, 59% of households used mulch in their gardens, 41% used a soaking method to water their gardens, 31% planted drought tolerant plants or lawn during the year, 17% did not water lawns, and 16% removed or reduced the size of their lawns.
    The survey on domestic water and energy use conducted in October 2004 also found:
    • One in two (50%) households used gas for water heating, 31% used off-peak electricity, 14% used peak electricity and 3% had solar hot water systems.
    • Air conditioners were used for heating or cooling in 82% of households.
    • Gas heaters were used most often in one-third (34%) of households followed by reverse cycle air conditioners (26%).
    • Not quite two-thirds (64%) of public housing households used air conditioners and 15% did not use heaters.
    • More than one-quarter (28%) of households had a rainwater tank plumbed into their dwelling.
    • Almost half (46%) of all households hand watered their garden and lawn, with fixed sprinkler or drip systems (35%) the next most common method.
    • More than one-third (37%) of households reported they had a reduced flow shower head.
    • Almost two-thirds (61%) of households adjusted water levels when washing clothes or dishes.


    Further details are available in Domestic Use of Water and Energy, South Australia, October 2004 (cat. no. 4618.4).