Quantification of potable water savings by residential water conservation and reuse – A case study

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Muthukumaran, Shobha ORCID: 0000-0002-2660-8060, Baskaran, Kanagaratnam and Sexton, Nicole (2011) Quantification of potable water savings by residential water conservation and reuse – A case study. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 55 (11). pp. 945-952. ISSN 0921-3449 (print) 1879-0658 (onine)

Abstract

To demonstrate the benefits of water conservation at the household level in regional Victoria in Australia, a family house “Sharland Oasis” was designed and built according to an ecologically sustainable design for improved water and energy efficiency. This study has demonstrated that the combined use of alternative water supplies together with water efficient appliances can save up to 77% of total potable water use compared to the average 1990s household water use in the same region considering the location and differing in water use approach. The use of rainwater inside the home alone saved up to 40% of potable water use. In addition to the water savings, there is a significant wastewater discharge saving achieved through the use of water conservation strategies and greywater reuse. A community survey undertaken in regional Victoria revealed that community receptivity for reusing greywater is highest for uses, such as watering gardens and flushing toilets; but it progressively decreased with increasing personal contact with greywater. Positive perception of greywater reuse needs to be encouraged through programs targeted at developing resources, skills and motivation for new water reuse practices and technologies, across a diverse range of social groups.

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Additional Information

Special issue on e-health strategies

Item type Article
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/8875
DOI 10.1016/j.resconrec.2011.04.013
Official URL http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S...
Subjects Historical > FOR Classification > 0502 Environmental Science and Management
Historical > SEO Classification > 9609 Land and Water Management
Historical > Faculty/School/Research Centre/Department > School of Engineering and Science
Keywords ResPubID23045, potable water savings, household water reuse, water quality, community receptivity
Citations in Scopus 76 - View on Scopus
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