Water Conservation Statistics

Water Conservation Statistics

Water is the source of life on this planet. If you look at the earth's surface and see that 70 per cent of it is water, it may be hard to grasp that many parts of the world are suffering from a lack of this seemingly abundant resource. Of all the water present on earth 97.5% of it is not fit to drink.

Only 2.5% of water is consumable, with one third frozen in the form of glaciers and polar ice. The water left for human use is roughly 1% of the total water present.

In order to fulfill the demands of consumption, the water from rainfall is collected in huge dams and is purified to make it drinkable. These filtering and detoxifying methods require sufficient funding. Because of the technological and financial resources needed to make water fit to drink, many economically challenged countries simply go without.

In addition, there has been a great change in the world weather and the rainfall patterns due to global warming. This phenomenon adds to the water scarcity issue in various parts of the world. Human beings, not to mention animals and agriculture, are facing dire circumstances. Our active participation is needed to find solutions so that we can change these drastic circumstances.

Water Conservation Statistics / Australia

Australia has many water conservation programs because of their extremely dry terrain. According to a study conducted in 2005, in Australia, the total water resources extracted from environment were 79,784GL, and the water consumed was 24% (i.e. 18,767GL) of the total water extracted. The water consumption is fairly low in Australia compared to other parts of the world.

Australia's weakest point is in household water consumption where its citizens use 11% of the total water consumed. The water consumed by an individual in Australia is 180KL. Even though this is an area for Australia to improve, the United States is the biggest culprit. The U.S. is expected to use more than ten percent of the global household water consumption by 2025.

According to some other statistics, 65% of water is consumed by agriculture in Australia, which is almost the same as in other countries. The water consumption in agriculture includes the watering of pastures for livestock grazing, drinking water for livestock, watering the fields and the cleaning of the buildings and livestock.

Water Conservation Statistics / In the Household

Let’s have a look at some of the statistics related to water consumption in an average household:

Average Consumption of Water in Australia –

• 29% of all the water consumed at homes is flushed out in the form of showers and hot baths.

• 1 quarter of all clean water is flushed in toilets.

• 5,500 litres of water is wasted from dripping taps a year.

• Dishwashers and washing machines use about 15% of the total water used per year.

• 25% of water is used outdoors in car washing, watering plants and other related activities.

• 1000 litres of water is wasted by sprinklers in gardens per hour.

• 19% of water is consumed in food preparation and other related tasks.

Water Conservation Statistics / More Stats

The studies conducted in 2005 revealed that there has been a decrease of 7% in water consumption in households as compared with the results obtained in 2001.

The main reason of this reduction in water usage is increased awareness of global warming and involvement in the going green campaigns. Another reason is a boost in green technology and the production of energy efficient appliances.

Some statistics related to water conservation in Australia are as follows:

• About 46% of households reported practicing water conservation in 2004.

• 18% of all households reported using full load washing machines, dishwashers and taking short showers.

• 18% households reported the repair of leakages and dripping taps.

• 5-7% of households reported using buckets for car wash instead of hoses.

• Water reuse or recycling was reported by 16% of all households.

Water conservation impacts all of us. Although reversing the effects of over-consumption requires awareness first, definitive steps must be taken to counteract the adverse effects our planet has suffered. For more ways to make a difference, check out the links below.

Water Conservation Statistics / Resources

DrinkTap.org

Australian Water Resources