4610.0 - Water Account, Australia, 2008-09

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 29/11/2010

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State Fact Sheets Murray-Darling Basin Fact Sheet About this Release Expanded Contents History of Changes Water consumption down, water prices up (Media Release)	STATE FACT SHEETS New South Wales Victoria Queensland South Australia Western Australia Tasmania Northern Territory Australian Capital Territory Water Account Australia 2008–09 New South Wales Water consumption for New South Wales was higher than any other State or Territory in 2008-09, amounting to 4,562 GL or 32% of total water consumption in Australia. However, this has decreased 23% from 2004-05, when water consumption was 5,922 GL. In New South Wales, total water consumption was 639 kL per capita, this is below the Australian average of 642 kL per capita. In New South Wales the Gross State Product was $87 million per GL of water consumed. This is below the Australian average of $89 million per GL. New South Wales households recorded the highest expenditure ($1,002 million) on urban distributed water. New South Wales households also recorded the highest net use of urban distributed and reuse water (510 GL). New South Wales households recorded the fourth highest average water price paying on average $1.96 per kL in 2008-09. This is above the Australian average of $1.93 per kL. Agricultural activities consumed 2,106 GL or 46% of the total volume consumed for New South Wales, a decrease of 49% from 2004-05 when agriculture consumed 4,133 GL. The gross value of irrigated agriculture in New South Wales in 2008-09 was $2,181 million or 18% of the Australian total. Household consumption of water was 536 GL in 2008-09, or 12% of total water consumption. Household water consumption in New South Wales decreased by 6% since 2004-05 (573 GL). Household water use per capita was 75 kL, the equal third lowest of all States and Territories, and a decrease from 84 kL per capita in 2004-05. Water providers in New South Wales supplied 3,568 GL of distributed water in 2008-09. The largest user of distributed water in New South Wales were the water supply industry (1,303 GL or 37%), with households also using a significant volume (508 GL or 14%). The Water supply industry was also a significant user of water, consuming 1,329 GL or 29% of total consumption. Water losses constituted the majority of this, and amounted to 1,295 GL or 36% of distributed water supply for the State. Water releases for environmental benefits were reported at 298 GL. This is an increase from 97 GL in 2004-05. New South Wales ranked second highest in use of reuse water against other States or Territories in 2008-09 at 96 GL (second only to Victoria which used 116 GL). However this represents a decrease of 51% from 2004-05 where the use of reuse water was 194 GL. The decrease in reuse water is due to a decline in the supply of reuse water by rural water suppliers from 139 GL in 2004-05 to 29 GL in 2008-09, a 79% decrease. There were increases in the use of reuse water by water supply industry (from 10 GL to 25 GL) and manufacturing (from less than 1 GL to 10 GL). New South Wales had the highest use of reuse water by households (2 GL) of all States and Territories. The manufacturing industry consumed 150 GL of water in 2008-09, an increase of 19% since 2004-05. The largest uses within the manufacturing industry was for food, beverage and tobacco (78 GL) followed by primary metal, metal and fabricated metal (25 GL) and petroleum, coal, basic chemical and chemical products (21 GL). The mining industry consumed 66 GL of water in 2008-09, an increase of 5% since 2004-05 (63 GL). The largest use within the mining industry was for coal mining (39 GL or 58%). The electricity and gas industry used a total of 6,595 GL of water, however most of this was used in-stream (6,449 GL) and is not included in the water consumption total for the State. Water consumption was 92 GL or 2% of total consumption, an increase from 75 GL in 2004-05. Back to top Water Account Australia 2008–09 Victoria Water consumption in Victoria was 2,991 GL in 2008-09, the third highest volume in Australia. This represents a 40% decrease from 2004-05 when water consumption was 4,993 GL. In Victoria, total water consumption was 549 kL per capita, this is the second lowest in Australia, below the Australian average of 642 kL per capita. In Victoria the Gross State Product was $96 million per GL of water consumed. This was above the Australian average of $89 million per GL. Agricultural activities consumed 1,593 GL or 53% of the total water consumption. This is a 51% decrease from 2004-05 when agricultural activities consumed 3,281 GL. The gross value of irrigated agricultural production in Victoria was the highest of all the States and Territories at $3,266 million in 2008-09 or 27% of total GVIAP in Australia. GVIAP in Victoria increased by 5% since 2004-05. Household water consumption for Victoria was 342 GL or 11% of the State's total water consumption. This has increased from 405 GL in 2004-05. Victoria accounted for a quarter (2,427 GL) of the total distributed water in Australia in 2008-09, second only to New South Wales which accounted for 37% (3,567 GL). Irrigation/rural water providers supplied 1,192 GL or 49% of this volume. Victoria's water distribution losses were also second highest in Australia, at 515 GL or 21% of total supply. The majority of losses were from irrigation/rural water suppliers (423 GL). Approximately 116 GL of reuse water was used in Victoria, a decrease from 131 GL in 2004-05. The decrease in reuse water is due to a decline in the supply of reuse water by rural water suppliers from 60 GL in 2004-05 to 14 GL in 2008-09, a 77% decrease. An increase in reuse water was recorded by the Water Supply industry, from 15 GL in 2004-05 to 40 GL in 2008-09. Other industries, which includes parks, gardens and sports fields, also increased from 22 GL in 2004-05 to 34 GL in 2008-09. The manufacturing industry was a significant user of water, consuming 158 GL or 5% of total water consumption in Victoria, an increase from 114 GL in 2004-05. The food, beverage and tobacco industry (79 GL) and the wood, pulp, paper and converted paper products industry (33 GL) were the largest users of water within manufacturing. The electricity and gas supply industry consumed 123 GL of water. The industry used 2,795 GL of water as in-stream use and hence not included in the water consumption total for the State. The mining industry used 6 GL of water mostly for metal ore mining (2 GL) and oil and gas extraction (2 GL). Back to top Water Account Australia 2008–09 Queensland Water consumption in Queensland was 3,351 GL in 2008-09, the second highest volume in Australia. This represents a 23% decrease since 2004-05 when water consumption was 4,361 GL . In Queensland, total water consumption was 757 kL per capita, this is the second highest in Australia, above the Australian average of 642 kL per capita. In Queensland the Gross State Product was $75 million per GL of water consumed. This was below the Australian average of $89 million per GL. In 2004–05, Queensland households had the lowest average water price ($0.97 per kL) however, in 2008–09 Queensland households had the second highest average water price of $2.32 per kL. Agricultural activities consumed 2,296 GL or 69% of total consumption in 2008-09, a 21% decrease from 2,916 GL in 2004-05. The gross value of irrigated agricultural production in Queensland was $3,255 million in 2008-09, an increase of 26% from $2,593 million in 2004-05. Households consumed 308 GL of water in 2008-09 which was 9% of total water consumption. This has decreased 38% since 2004-05 when household water consumption was 493 GL. Household water consumption per capita was 70 kL in 2008-09, a significant decrease from 124 kL per capita in 2004-05, and below the Australian average of 81 kL per capita. A total of 154 water providers supplied 2,211 GL of distributed water in 2008-09, 60% of which was supplied by Irrigation/rural water providers. 44 GL of reuse water was used in 2008-09, a decrease from 52 GL in 2004-05. The use of reuse water by manufacturing decreased from 9 GL to 5 GL and other industries also decreased from 18 GL to 15 GL. The mining and manufacturing industries also used significant amounts of water with 118 GL and 148 GL respectively. Mining water consumption increased by 42% while manufacturing decreased 6% since 2004-05. The largest user of water within the mining industry was for coal mining, consuming 55 GL. Within manufacturing, the largest users were the food, beverage and tobacco manufacturing (74 GL) and primary metal, metal and fabricated metal industries (41 GL). The electricity and gas industry consumed 82 GL of water in 2008-09. Back to top Water Account Australia 2008-09 South Australia South Australia consumed 1,168 GL of water in 2008-09, a 14% decrease since 2004-05 when water consumption was 1,365 GL. In South Australia, total water consumption was 719 kL per capita, this is above the Australian average of 642 kL per capita. In South Australia the Gross State Product was $66 million per GL of water consumed. This was the second lowest of the States and Territories, below the Australian average of $89 million per GL. South Australia households recorded the third highest average water price paying on average $2.30 per kL in 2008-09 and above the Australian average of $1.93 per kL. Agricultural activities consumed 902 GL or 77% of total water consumption for the State. This is a drop of 11% from 2004-05 when it was 1,019 GL. The gross value of irrigated agriculture in South Australia in 2008-09 was $1,635 million. Household water consumption in South Australia decreased by 18% from 144 GL in 2004-05 to 122 GL in 2008-09. Water consumption per capita has also decreased from 94 kL to 75 kL, which is below the Australia average of 81 kL per capita. Total volume of water distributed in South Australia in 2008-09 was 427 GL. Distribution water losses amounted to 64 GL or 15% of total distributed water supply. The use of reuse water has increased from 18 GL in 2004-05 to 35 GL in 2008-09. Other industries increased the use of reuse water from 2 GL in 2004-05 to 10 GL in 2008-09. The manufacturing industry is a significant user of water, consuming 88 GL or 8% of the State's total. The largest user within manufacturing was the food, beverage and tobacco manufacturing industry (36 GL). The mining industry consumed 22 GL of water, largely for metal ore mining (14 GL). The electricity and gas industry consumed over 2 GL. Back to top Water Account Australia 2008-09 Western Australia Water consumption in Western Australia was 1,371 GL in 2008-09, a decrease of 8% compared to 2004-05 when water consumption was 1,495 GL. In Western Australia, total water consumption was 611 kL per capita, this is below the Australian average of 642 kL per capita. In Western Australia the Gross State Product was $131 million per GL of water consumed. This was the second highest of the States and Territories, above the Australian average of $89 million per GL. Western Australia households recorded the third lowest average water price paying on average $1.64 per kL in 2008-09 and below the Australian average of $1.93 per kL. Agricultural activities consumed 363 GL of water or 26% of the total water consumption in Western Australia. This is a 32% decrease compared to 2004-05 (535 GL). The gross value of irrigated agriculture was $846 million in 2008-09. Households consumed 362 GL of water or 24% of total water consumption in 2008-09, a small decrease when compared to 2004-05 (363 GL). Household water consumption per capita was the second highest of any State or Territory at 145 kL per person, and above the Australia average of 81 kL per person. Western Australia used the largest amount of self-extracted water for households in Australia with 27% (87 GL) of household water use coming from a self-extracted source (mostly garden bores). Western Australia had the highest amount of distributed water originating from a groundwater source of all States and Territories, with 183 GL or 29% of total distributed supply originating from groundwater in Western Australia. The supply of desalinated water was 33 GL in 2008-09. Western Australia was the only State with large scale desalination plants in full operation in 2008-09. Distribution water losses were 104 GL or 16% of total distributed supply. The use of reuse water increased from 18 GL in 2004-05 to 19 GL in 2008-09. The use of reuse water in water supply, sewerage and drainage services increased substantially from 2004-05 to 2008-09 (100 ML to 1,777 ML respectively). There was an increase in the amount of water consumed by the mining industry from 183 GL in 2004-05 to 257 GL in 2008-09. This was largely due to an increase in water use by the metal ore mining industry which consumed 169 GL. The manufacturing industry consumed 61 GL of water. The largest use of water within this industry was for metal product manufacturing (30 GL). 1,734 GL of water was used for hydro-electrcity generation, but this is in-stream use and is not included in the water consumption total for the state. The electricity and gas industry consumed 27 GL of water in 2008-09. Back to top Water Account Australia 2008-09 Tasmania Water consumption in Tasmania was 456 GL in 2008-09, an increase of 5% from 2004-05 when water consumption was 434 GL. In Tasmania, total water consumption was 906 kL per capita, this is the highest in Australia and above the Australian average of 642 kL per capita. In Tasmania the Gross State Product was $49 million per GL of water consumed. This was the lowest of all States and Territories and below the Australian average of $89 million per GL. Tasmania had the highest level of water use in Australia at 33,643 GL but nearly all of this was for hydro-electric power generation (32,713 GL) and hence is not recorded as water consumption. Tasmania households recorded the lowest average water price of all states and territories paying on average $1.07 per kL in 2008-09, below the Australian average of $1.93 per kL. Most of the water was consumed by agricultural activities, which consumed 285 GL or 63% of water consumption in the State. This represents a 10% increase since 2004-05 when water consumption for agricultural activities was 258 GL. The gross value of irrigated agricultural production was $693 million in 2008-09, a large increase from $473 million in 2004-05. Household water consumption in 2008-09 (69 GL) was virtually unchanged since 2004-05 (69 GL) Household water consumption was 136 kL per capita, a decrease from 143 kL per capita in 2004-05, and above the Australia average of 81 kL per capita. The manufacturing industry was a significant user of water in Tasmania, consuming 50 GL in 2008-09 almost the same as in 2004-05 (49 GL). The aquaculture industry in Tasmania used 95% (420 GL) of the total water used by this industry in Australia. However most of this water was used in-stream and the water consumption for this industry was 3 GL. In 2008-09, water providers supplied 285 GL of distributed water, 155 GL of which was for environmental purposes. The use of reuse water increased from 5 GL in 2004-05 to 6 GL in 2008-09. This increase is mostly due to an increase in the use of reuse water by other industries from 888 ML to 2,439 ML. Back to top Water Account Australia 2008-09 Northern Territory Water consumption in the Northern Territory was 154 GL in 2008-09, an increase of 9% from 2004-05 when water consumption was 141 GL. In the Northern Territory, total water consumption was 681 kL per capita, and above the Australian average of 642 kL per capita. In the Northern Territory the Gross State Product was $108 million per GL of water consumed. This is above the Australian average of $89 million per GL. Agricultural activities consumed 43 GL (28%) of water in the Northern Territory, a decrease of 9% from 2004-05 (47 GL). In 2008-09, household water consumption accounted for 39 GL or 25% of total water consumption in the Northern Territory. Household water consumption per capita was the highest of any State or Territory at 173 kL per person, and well above the Australia average of 81 kL per person. The mining industry consumed 21 GL or 13% of total water consumption, 17 GL of which was used for metal ore mining. The manufacturing industry consumed 22 GL of water, a large increase from 6 GL in 2004-05. There was only one water provider in the Northern Territory who supplied 65 GL of distributed water. Distribution water losses accounted for 7.4 GL or 11% of total distributed supply. The use of reuse water remained stable in 2008-09, with 1,854 ML being used compared to 1,852 ML in 2004-05. Other industries consumed the most reuse water in 2008-09 (1,547 ML, or 83%) Back to top Water Account Australia 2008-09 Australian Capital Territory The Australian Capital Territory consumed 48 GL of water in 2008-09, a decrease of 14% from 2004-05 when it was 56 GL. In the Australian Capital Territory, total water consumption was 137 kL per capita, this is the lowest in Australia, below the Australian average of 642 kL per capita. In the Australian Capital Territory the Gross State Product was $536 million per GL of water consumed. This is the highest in Australia and higher than the Australian average of $89 million per GL. The Australian Capital Territory recorded the highest average water price paying on average $2.60 per kL in 2008-09 in the household sector. This was a 95% increase since 2004-05. Agricultural activities consumed 1,863 ML of water in 2008-09 or 4% of total consumption. This is the lowest percentage in Australia. It is also an increase of 51% from 2004-05 (1,231 ML) The majority of water was consumed by households (27 GL or 57% of total water consumption in the Australian Capital Territory). This is the highest proportion of all States and Territories. Household water consumption per capita was 78 kL in 2008-09, a decrease from 95 kL per capita in 2004-05, below the Australian average of 81 kL per capita. Other industries consumed 11 GL or 24% of total consumption. Other industries include industries such as wholesale and retail trade, accommodation, cafe's and restaurants, finance, property and business services, government administration and defence, education, health, culture and recreation, and other services. Manufacturing used 345 ML, the largest component of which was for food, beverage and tobacco manufacturing (187 ML). There was only one water provider in the Australian Capital Territory who supplied 47 GL of distributed water. System water losses were the lowest of any State or Territory at 3 GL or 7% of distributed supply. Approximately 31 GL of distributed and reuse water was supplied for environmental purposes (environmental flows). 3,904 ML of reuse water was used in the Australian Capital Territory in 2008-09 by the water supply, sewerage and drainage services industry and other industries. Back to top Document Selection These documents will be presented in a new window.