SEQ Residential End Use Study

Abstract

Smart meters were applied to determine the water end uses for a sample of 250+ residential dwellings located within South East Queensland (SEQ). Specifically, end use analysis was undertaken for a two week period in winter 2010. A mixed method approach was used, combining high resolution water meters, remote data transfer loggers, household water appliance audits and a self-reported household water use diary. Generally, total household water use was lower than reported in other Australian end use studies, confirming anecdotal evidence of changed behaviour towards water use in SEQ instilled during the drought period. Results also demonstrated that water-efficient fixtures and appliances can be very effective in reducing total household water consumption.