Water Use in Australia 

(Source: Water Account Australia 2008-09, Australian Bureau of Statistics www.abs.gov.au) 

The main findings of the ABS publication Water Account 2008-09, include:

· In 2008–09, rainfall for Australia was 519 mm. Compared to 2004–05 and average levels of rainfall, 2008–09 was a wet year. However, below average rainfall and drought was experienced throughout much of Australia in 2008–09, specifically south eastern Australia.

· During 2008–09, 59, 839 GL of water was extracted from the environment and used within the Australian economy. Of this amount, 9,673 GL was extracted by water providers, while water users directly extracted 50,166 GL.

· Of the total volume extracted from the environment (59,839 GL), 47,459 GL was returned to the environment as regulated discharge. The majority of this regulated discharge (45,365 GL) was in-stream use, by the ELECTRICITY AND GAS SUPPLY industry for hydro-electric power generation (44,484 GL).

·  Water consumption was 14,101 GL in 2008–09, a decrease of 25% from 2004–05 when it was 18,767 GL.

· The AGRICULTURE industry (businesses with agriculture as their main activity) consumed the largest volume of water with 6,996 GL, representing 50% of water consumption in 2008–09. All agricultural activities accounted for 7,589 GL or 54% of total Australian water consumption in 2008–09. This is a decrease from 2004–05 when it was 12,191 GL and 65% of water consumption.

· Victoria showed the largest fall (40%) in water consumption from 4,993 GL in 2004–05 to 2,991 GL in 2008–09. This is mostly because of a 1,688 GL or 51% decrease in the consumption of water by agricultural activities in this state.

· In 2008–09, there were 401 water providers in Australia, supplying 9,673 GL of distributed water. This compares to 413 providers and 11,337 GL in 2004–05.

· Water providers in the WATER SUPPLY, SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE SERVICES industry supplied 9,369 GL or 97% of distributed water in 2008–09.

· Surface water made up 8,956 GL or 96% of the distributed water supplied by the WATER SUPPLY, SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE SERVICES industry in 2008–09.