New data released this week by The Water Conservancy shows that although three-quarters of Australians (75 per cent) are concerned about climate change, 77 per cent do not realise that heating hot water is one of the significant sources of carbon emissions from the average Australian home—comparable to those produced by aviation.
Over half (56 per cent) admit they rarely or never consider the carbon footprint associated with heating water in their homes, pointing to a significant lack of awareness about the environmental impact of everyday water use.
The national data, released ahead of Water Night on 24 October, when households are encouraged to turn off all non-essential taps for the evening to help improve their water literacy, also shows an alarming disconnect between actual and perceived water use. While over half (59 per cent) of respondents believe they are doing enough to conserve water, most underestimate their daily usage. The average amount of water used per person daily in Australia is approximately 200 litres, yet more than three-quarters (76 per cent) of respondents think they use 150 litres or less daily.
Concerningly, despite Australia ranking among the top 10 countries with the highest water use globally2, just one in four believe they could do more to save water. When asked what they would do differently in the next 12 months, over a quarter said they wouldn’t change anything as they thought they were taking all necessary measures.
The Water Conservancy is calling on Australians to join Water Night on 24 October 2024. The annual event – now in its fifth year – asks individuals and households to turn off all non-essential taps from 5 pm to 10 pm to support more decisive action on climate change, increased water awareness and long-term behaviour change.
CEO of The Water Conservancy, Chris Philpot, said: “Last year was the hottest since records began, so it’s not surprising that most Australians are concerned about climate change. However, these results highlight a troubling gap in understanding how our everyday water usage contributes to the issue.
“Water Night offers a valuable opportunity to increase Australia’s water literacy and draw attention to the unseen environmental costs of over-using this precious resource. We’re encouraging all Australians to take part in demonstrating how practical, water-saving actions could help make a positive environmental impact.”
More positively, when considering future actions, nearly half (48 per cent) indicated they would commit to taking shorter showers. However, only one in three said they would only run dishwashers or washing machines with full loads. With heating water accounting for up to 39 per cent* of energy bills, small acts like these could easily reduce hot water consumption by 15 per cent, saving over $100 a year for a family of four.
Water Night ambassador and Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis is one of many high-profile Australians registered to participate in this year’s Water Night and is encouraging others to join.
Costa said: “Climate change can often seem overwhelming, making it difficult to know how to make a difference. Water Night offers a straightforward way to reduce water usage and carbon footprint. I encourage everyone to sign up today – together, we can make a real difference.”
The survey also identified key barriers to reducing water usage, with more than a third (38 per cent) citing the cost of water-efficient products and confusion about tracking water consumption (37 per cent), and over a quarter (26 per cent) saying that lack of knowledge about effective conservation methods was to blame. Alarmingly, a fifth (20 per cent) of Australians surveyed said they view changing their water habits as a low priority, with 5 per cent claiming it is not their responsibility.
To learn more and sign up for Water Night on 24 October 2024, visit: https://waternight.com.au/.
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