We all know where water comes from. It comes out of taps. And most Australians have grown up believing that the supply of water from our taps is endless. But the fact is water is becoming scarce.

"We used to have a lot of rivers and only a few dams, now we have got a lot of dams and few rivers. In other words the easy development of water is long gone for Australia. We need to learn better how to manage what we've got".

Geoff Syme, from Australia's science organisation, CSIRO, is working with the Water Corporation in Perth to find out how people are using water in their homes.

Six hundred houses are being monitored, while a further 120 have had special water meters installed. The meters are checked each week and water use recorded. When this data is combined with written information from the householder, a pattern of use can be established.

And once this pattern is known, authorities will attempt to persuade people to adopt different water use habits, and industry to come up with clever, new designs. For example, laundry and bath water could be stored in tanks designed for city dwellings, to reuse on the garden or to flush the toilet.

Many who live in the country have already experienced water shortages, but often in the city, the water supply is taken for granted

"We need to take notice now. All the easy solutions are gone in Australia. Every drop of water the city uses is taking it away from the environment and is polluting it to some degree."

By finding out how we are using our water, scientists can develop ways to help save this precious commodity before it's too late.

Long Version of Every Drop Counts

CSIRO Enquiries
Email: Enquiries@csiro.au
Phone: 1300 363 400
Locked Bag 10
Clayton South
VIC 3169