National Overview
Water use

Total water use in the National Water Account regions in 2013–14 was approximately 13,251,000 ML, a decrease of 21% from the previous year. This is mainly due to a relatively large decrease in water use in the Murray–Darling Basin, reflecting the low water storage and drier conditions across the region. All other regions reported similar or slightly increased water use compared to the previous year.

Total water use for the years ending 30 June 2012, 2013 and 2014

Surface water dominated water use for all regions except Daly and Perth, where groundwater is the primary water source. In 2013–14, surface water sources accounted for 84% of water used in the nine regions, a decrease from 89% in 2012–13.

While the relative proportions change from year to year, Adelaide relies on all four water sources shown below. Between 2012–13 and 2013–14, there was a shift from surface water, including inter-region inflows, to use of desalinated water.

Sources of water used in each region for the years ending 30 June 2012, 2013 and 2014

Four of the nine regions (Canberra, Melbourne, South East Queensland and Sydney) are dominated by urban water use and three (Daly, Murray–Darling Basin and Ord) are primarily agricultural. The Adelaide and Perth regions both have major urban centres and significant urban water use, but irrigation and industry are also major users of water. In the Perth region, irrigation, industry and other uses account for about 70% of total water use, which contribute to it using more water than any of the other regions with urban centres. 

In 2013–14, water supplied for urban use represented 14% of all water use in the National Water Account, while 86% was used for irrigation, industry and other uses. In most regions, the proportions of water used in 2013–14 were very similar to 2012–13.

Users of water by region for the years ending 30 June 2012, 2013 and 2014