National Overview: Water source and supply
Water use in all the regions was similar to the previous year, except in the Murray–Darling Basin where lower water use reflected the drier conditions across the region.
Total water sourced for the years ending 30 June 2014 and 2015
- Total water sourced was approximately 13,937,000 ML, 9% less than the previous year.
- Except for the Murray–Darling Basin, all regions reported similar or slightly increased water use.
- In the Murray–Darling Basin, water use for consumptive and environmental purposes decreased by approximately 13%, reflecting the low water storage and drier conditions across the region.
- In the Perth region, irrigation, industry and other uses account for about 60% of total water use, which contribute to Perth using more water than any of the other regions with urban centres.
- Surface water sources accounted for 83% of total water use; groundwater is the primary water source in only two regions—Daly and Perth.
Users of water for the year ending 30 June 2015
- Four of the ten regions—Burdekin, Daly, Murray–Darling Basin and Ord—are primarily agricultural; the remaining six regions are dominated by urban water use.
- Approximately 75% of water supply was used for irrigation, industry and other uses; 15% was used for urban use; 10% was for environmental purposes in the Murray–Darling Basin region.
- More information about water use across the entire country can be found at Water in Australia.