Water is becoming such a critical issue in Australia that almost a third of households around the country will have installed a rainwater tank or grey water system by mid-2008, according to a report released this week by economic forecaster and industry analyst BIS Shrapnel.
The report, Installation of Rainwater Tanks and Grey Water Systems by Australian Households, 2006/07, showed that almost seven per cent of Australian households installed either a rainwater tank or grey water system in their home in 2006, and another 29 per cent plan to do so in the next 12 months.
Rural Victorian households recorded the highest incidence of rainwater tank installations (8.7 per cent) followed by Brisbane (7.1 per cent).
These two regions also recorded the highest incidence of grey water systems (5.4 per cent and 5.0 per cent respectively).
BIS Shrapnel project manager Michael Hill said that water issues are an important topic for Australia, with the continued supply of fresh water remaining an issue across the eastern states in particular.
"Many households across key demographic categories have responded to the water crises by installing systems which enable them to provide their own water so they don't have to rely on the main water supply."
BIS Shrapnel research has shown over the next twelve months, 29 per cent of households intend to install a rainwater tank or grey water system. Hill says while it is unlikely all of these intended installations will proceed, this statistic does exhibit the importance Australian households place on water saving.
The Installation of Rainwater Tanks and Grey Water Systems by Australian Households, 2006/07 report states households in metropolitan Queensland are the most likely to install a rainwater tank over the coming 12 months, while more Victorian households will install a grey water system.
Hill says water saving devices are favoured by householders aged between 35 and 64.
The research showed, however, that it is those aged between 50 and 64 who have actually installed one of the two water saving systems.
Out of the rainwater tanks installed, the vast majority are above ground and an average of 1.4 tanks are installed per household, according to BIS Shrapnel.
"Due to space limitations in many inner city areas, the ability to connect two smaller tanks at the side of a house, rather than one big one in a limited backyard space is essential to the increased take-up of the tanks," said Hill.
Of the rainwater tanks installed, the average tank holds 4,610 litres, and as expected, the average capacity is higher in rural areas compared to metropolitan regions, according to BIS Shrapnel.
Nationally, BIS Shrapnel research shows the most important reasons for installing a rainwater tank is to save water and to use on the garden. Combined, these account for 59 per cent of the installation reasons for rainwater tanks.
A further important reason for installing a water saving system identified by survey respondents, especially in rural areas, is due to the house having no town water supply.
