ABS WATER CONSERVATION DATA Oct 2013.

Approximately 62% of Australian households have only water efficient shower heads at their dwelling compared with 26% that have only regular shower heads. Households living in dwellings built within the last five years are more likely to have only water efficient shower heads (75%) compared with dwellings aged over five years.

The majority of Australian households (79%) took at least one step to save water inside or outside their home in the last 12 months. Family households were more likely to have taken at least one step to save water inside or outside their home (80%) compared with lone person households (74%) and group households (70%). Of those households with a garden, family households were also more likely to have taken steps to save water in the garden (55%) compared with lone person households (50%) and group households (42%).

Of the 4.3 million households that took at least one step to save water in the laundry, using the washing machine when fully loaded was a common step taken (54%), followed by adjusting the water level when washing (24%). Of the 4.5 million households that saved water in the bathroom, taking shorter showers was a common step taken (64%), followed by turning off the tap while cleaning teeth or shaving (45%). Of the 3.4 million households that saved water in the toilet, using the half flush on a dual flush toilet was a common step taken (66%), followed by flushing less often or only when needed (29%).

Of the 3.9 million households that saved water in the garden, using mulch was a common step taken (42%), followed by only watering when necessary (34%) and watering at cooler times of the day (29%). Of the four million households that saved water outside the home, not including the garden, using a commercial car washing facility, was a common step taken (33%), followed by washing the car less often or not washing the car (29%).

Of the 7.3 million households with a garden, the proportion of households that took at least one step to save water in the garden has decreased over the last six years, with 54% taking at least one step in 2013 compared with 62% in 2010 and 71% in 2007. A similar change in behaviour is apparent for most states and territories over the last six years with less households taking steps to save water in Victoria (55% in 2013 and 75% in 2007), Queensland (49% in 2013 and 70% in 2007) and South Australia (59% in 2013 and 78% in 2007). In contrast, the proportion of households that took at least one step to save water in the garden remained steady over the last six years in Western Australia (65% in 2013 and 67% in 2007).