MEDIA RELEASE
19 November 2010	Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra Time)	137/2010

The use of rainwater tanks by Australian households continues to increase, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Twenty six per cent of households used a rainwater tank as a source of water in March 2010, up from 19% in 2007. Almost half (49%) of South Australian households used a rainwater tank, followed by Queensland (36%) and Victoria (30%). The Northern Territory had the lowest proportion of households (5%) that used a rainwater tank.

Over the past three years, the greatest increase in rainwater tank use was in Queensland and Victoria.

Of households living in a dwelling suitable for a rainwater tank, the percentage that have a rainwater tank installed has increased from 24% in 2007 to 32% in 2010. Brisbane had the largest increase of households that have a rainwater tank at their dwelling, from 18% in 2007 to 43% in 2010.

The proportion of households residing at a dwelling less than one year old that have a rainwater tank installed has risen to 57% in 2010, compared with 26% in 2007.

The reasons reported by Australian households for installing a rainwater tank were 'to save water' (47%) and 'restrictions on mains water' (24%). Melbourne had the highest proportion of households (47%) to report water restrictions as a reason for installing a rainwater tank.

Further information about household water use and conservation activities inside the dwelling and outdoors, can be found in Environmental issues: Water Use and Conservation (cat. no. 4602.0.55.003). Media note: When using ABS statistics, please cite the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) as the source.