WATER CONSUMPTION BY INDUSTRY AND HOUSEHOLDS

The graph below shows water consumption, by households and industry, for Australia in 2008–09 and 2009–10.

Water consumption in Australia for 2009–10 was 13,476 GL compared to 14,101 GL in 2008–09, a decrease of 4%. The Agriculture industry had the highest water consumption in 2009–10, accounting for 6,987 GL (or 52% of the National total), which was virtually unchanged from 6,996 GL in 2008–09. The Water supply, sewerage and drainage services industry was the next highest consumer of water in 2009–10, accounting for 1,893 GL, which was 14% of total water consumption. Water use by this industry was mostly attributable to losses in distribution and was down 21% from 2008–09, due to large decreases in losses reported in New South Wales and Queensland (see the Water supply, sewerage and drainage section). Households were also a significant consumer of water in 2009–10, accounting for 1,868 GL, or 14% of total water consumption. The Manufacturing industry consumed 658 GL of water in 2009–10, which accounted for 5% of total water consumption.


WATER CONSUMPTION BY STATES AND TERRITORIES




The above graph shows water consumption by the States and Territories. The share of water consumption is broadly aligned with state population and economic activities.

The graphs below display water consumption, by industry, for each State and Territory for 2008–09 and 2009–10. These graphs illustrate the different patterns of water consumption for the main industry groups.


New South Wales

In New South Wales, water consumption was 4,326 GL during 2009–10 compared to 4,562 GL in 2008–09, a decrease of 5%. In 2009–10, the highest consumer was the Agriculture industry with 2,127 GL or 49% of the total water consumption in New South Wales (an increase in consumption of 6% from 2008–09). This was followed by the Water supply, sewerage and drainage services industry which consumed 1,001 GL or 23% of water, the largest of all the States and Territories. However, the water consumption in this industry decreased by 328 GL (or 25%) from 2008–09, mainly due to large decreases in reported losses. Households were also a significant consumer of water with 565 GL (13%) of total water consumption in New South Wales.




Victoria

In Victoria, 2,899 GL of water was consumed in 2009–10 compared to 2,991 GL in 2008–09, a decrease of 3%. The Agriculture industry was the highest consumer of water in Victoria in 2009–10, responsible for the consumption of 1,553 GL (or 54%) of the total water consumption - this was an 8% increase from 2008–09. The Water supply, sewerage and drainage services industry was the next highest consumer of water, accounting for 512 GL (or 18%). Households were also a significant consumer of water with 327 GL or 11% of Victoria's total water consumption.



Queensland

In Queensland, 3,088 GL of water was consumed in 2009–10 compared to 3,351 GL in 2008–09, a decrease of 8%. The Agriculture industry consumed the most water in Queensland in 2009–10, with 1,928 GL or 62% of the total water consumption. However, the decrease in Agriculture water consumption in Queensland from 2008–09 to 2009–10 (216 GL or 10%) was the largest decrease for Agriculture in any State or Territory. The next largest consumers in Queensland were households, with 364 GL or 12%, followed by the Water supply, sewerage and drainage services industry, with 190 GL or 6%. Consumption by the Water supply, sewerage and drainage services industry decreased by 106 GL (or 36%) from 2008–09 due to a large decrease in reported losses.


South Australia

Water consumption in South Australia was 1,097 GL in 2009–10 compared to 1,168 GL in 2008–09, a decrease of 6%. The Agriculture industry was the largest consumer of water in 2009–10, accounting for 720 GL or 66% of the total water consumption in South Australia. This proportion of water consumption by Agriculture in South Australia was the largest of all the States and Territories, despite agricultural water consumption decreasing in this state by 68 GL (or 9%) from 2008–09. Households were also large consumers of water with 126 GL or 11% of South Australia's water consumption.

Western Australia

In Western Australia, 1,386 GL of water was consumed in 2009–10 compared to 1,371 GL in 2008–09, an increase of just 1%. In 2009–10, households consumed the largest volume (348 GL or 25%) followed by the Agriculture industry (324 GL or 23%). Consumption by the Mining industry was also significant (245 GL or 18%), due to a significant level of Mining activity in Western Australia compared to other States and Territories.
Tasmania

Water consumption was 465 GL in Tasmania in 2009–10 compared to 456 GL in 2008–09, an increase of 2%. In 2009–10, the Agriculture industry was the largest consumer accounting for 286 GL or 61% of the total water consumption in the State. Households were also a major consumer of water in Tasmania, with 72 GL or 16%. The Manufacturing industry consumed 37 GL or 8%, a decrease of 13 GL (or 26%) from 2008–09.



Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory, 168 GL of water was consumed in 2009–10 compared to 154 GL in 2008–09, an increase of 9%, the largest percentage increase of all the States and Territories. This increase was driven by climate conditions and water availability reflected in the Agriculture industry, which increased its consumption from 2008–09 by 14 GL (or 39%), accounting for 49 GL (or 29%) in 2009–10. The next highest consumer of water was households, consuming 38 GL (or 23%), followed by the group of Other industries with 26 GL or 16%.



Australian Capital Territory

In the Australian Capital Territory, 47 GL of water was consumed in 2009–10 compared to 48 GL in 2008–09, a decrease of 2%. In 2009–10, households accounted for 28 GL or 59% of total water consumption in the Territory. This was the largest proportion of total consumption by households of all the States and Territories, mainly due to the fact that the Agriculture industry is relatively small in the Australian Capital Territory. The next highest consumer of water was Other industries, consuming 11 GL or 23%, followed by the Water supply, sewerage and drainage services industry with 8 GL or 17%.

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