Water use efficiency means minimising growth in demand for use of water by making the most efficient use of available supplies. To achieve this, the Department supports programs containing:
- water pricing reform
- metering of water use
- supply system improvements
- analysis of water use
- promotion and regulation of water efficient appliances
- industry participation in the promotion of water efficiency
- urban design, education and incentive concerning efficient water use, and
- development of drought response strategies.
Water use efficiency programs have been implemented for the cities of Perth and Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Since Perth is the major domestic scheme in the State, and water use is increasing, it is a priority target. A water efficiency program capable of saving about 50 Gigalitres per annum (or 20% of the annual Perth Scheme demand) by 2010 has been proposed. (1 Gigalitre is equal to 1000 million litres).
Approximately 730 Gigalitres (GL) or about three times the current Perth Scheme demand is licensed for private self supply use throughout Western Australia. Efficient use by self supply users is, therefore, equally important. It is the responsibility of the Department to work with these users to develop water efficiency programs.
Water service providers of reticulated scheme supplies are expected to demonstrate effective water use efficiency programs as part of their supply planning. This principle is also applied to private users of water where licensed allocations of water are required.
For more information, please visit the Department of Health web site.