Water Consumption

Indicator Rationale

Water is a critical limiting factor for much of the Australian environment and economy.  The efficient management of water resources is essential to individual and community wellbeing, and to the protection of biodiversity and ecological systems.  The distribution of scarce water resources between competing demands is also an equity issue (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1999).

Portable water supply for urban communities is a finite resource.  Australia is one of the driest inhabited continents in the world, but we are one of the greatest consumers of water per capita (Savewater, 2003).  Its provision incurs a significant social, economic and environmental cost through the construction of storage, treatment and conveyance infrastructure (The Australian Institute and Newcastle City Council, 2000).

Measure

Measure to be explored further.

Data Source

Data to be explored further.

Reference

The Australian Institute and Newcastle City Council, 2000.