Water benchmark

If there’s only have a single water meter for the complex, how does the owners corporation know if water is being used efficiently or if there are any problems it needs to get on top of.

While it is often assumed that pools, spas, gardens and retail tenants are to blame for large water bills, studies show this is rarely the case.

Research by Sydney Water, the City of Sydney Council and BMT WBM Pty Lid has consistently found that the overwhelming majority – 86% and more - of water consumed in apartment buildings is used inside apartments in showers, toilets, taps, leaks, washing machines and dishwashers.

Showers account for more than half of a building’s total consumption.

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Average water usage breakdown in apartment buildings

How does your building rate?

Thanks to Sydney Water and BMT BWM Pty Ltd, we now have a realistic benchmark against which buildings can rate their consumption – in terms of litres per bedroom per day.

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Water Consumption Benchmark Table

You can calculate this once you know:

• Your annual building-wide water consumption, by reviewing your water bills for the last 12 months. If you don’t have them, your strata manager will.
• The total number of bedrooms in your building

If you’re using more than 200 litres per bedroom per day, there’s room for improvement.

If you’re using more than 300 litres per bedroom per day you should take steps to reduce water consumption - and save money.

Water Usage calculator

Once you have the necessary information, you can use our simple water usage calculator to see how your building rates.

You can see more on how water works in your building in this presentation by Sydney Water in November 2011.