Identifying the drivers of water consumption: a summary of results from the South East Queensland residential end use study

Abstract

The aim of the South East Queensland Residential End Use Study (SEQREUS) was to address the research gap on water end usage by way of generating a high resolution data registry of water end uses and using such a database to explore the relationships and influences of residential water consumption from a bottom up approach. Such data can be used to optimise future demand management strategies. Mains water end uses in a sample of 252 residential dwellings located within South East Queensland (SEQ) were measured using a combination of high resolution smart meters and data loggers and a parallel social survey design comprising a questionnaire, a stock (appliance) audit and self-reported water diary for each household. An array of detailed analyses were conducted from the subsequent data registry based on three separate two-week monitoring periods (2 x winter and 1 x summer). Impacts on water consumption from water-efficient technology (eg, star rated washing machines, flow regulated taps and showers), socio-demographics (household composition, income and education and perceptions and attitudes towards of water conservation on household, per capita, diurnal and peak demand water consumption are presented, including the variation in water end uses on a daily and seasonal basis. We conclude with some policy considerations that evolved from our data analysis and that may assist in optimising future demand management strategies. For example, it is recommended to target households with large families with young children or teenagers, as these homes are often associated with high shower and tap usage.