The charts illustrate water consumption in Australia in 2004 and the breakdown of residential water use during the same year.
Overall, residential consumption – particularly water used in houses – accounted for the largest proportion of total water use. Within households, bathrooms and gardens were the biggest users of water, while kitchens consumed the least.
In terms of overall water consumption, residential houses dominated usage, making up well over half of the total. Residential apartments represented a much smaller share, at around one eighth. Business and industry consumed moderate proportions, approximately 11% and 10% respectively, while government use was lower, at about 7%. Water used for other purposes accounted for only a very small fraction.
Looking more closely at residential water use, bathrooms were the largest consumers, using roughly 28% of household water. Garden watering followed closely at about 27%. Washing clothes accounted for one fifth of residential water usage, whereas toilets used approximately 15%. Kitchens consumed the smallest proportion, at just 10%.