Factors affecting the variability of household water use in Melbourne,Australia

Abstract

This study investigates the variability of household water use in Melbourne with the aim of improvingthe current understanding of factors affecting residential water use. This understanding is critical topredicting household water demand, particularly at an appropriate spatial and temporal resolution tosupport Integrated Urban Water Management based planning and to improve the understanding on howdifferent household water demands respond to demand management strategies. The study used twosets of data each collected from 837 households under significantly different water use conditions in theyears 2003 and 2011. Data from each household consist of the household characteristics and quarterlymetre readings. Ordinary Least Square regression analysis followed by detailed analysis of each factorwas used to identify key factors affecting household water use. The variables studied are household size,typology of dwelling, appliance efficiency, presence of children under 12 years, presence of children agedbetween 12 and 18 years, tenancy, dwelling age, presence of swimming pool, evaporative cooler, anddishwasher. All of them except presence of children aged between 12 and 18 years, tenancy and dwellingage were identified as variables that contribute to the variability of household water use in Melbourne.The study also found that the explanatory capacity of these variables increases with decreasing water use.This paper also discusses the significance of the explanatory variables, their impact and how they varyover the seasons and years. The variables found in this study can be used to inform improved predictionand modelling of residential water demand. The paper also explores other possible drivers to explainresidential water use in light of the moderate explanatory capacity of the variables selected for this studythus, provides useful insights into future research into water demand modelling.