Domestic Water Consumption Survey

Domestic Water Consumption Survey Key Survey Findings - Fact Sheet Background In 2011, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) conducted the Domestic Water Consumption Survey (the Survey) with the assistance of a consultant. The objectives of the Survey were: 1. to evaluate the effectiveness of water conservation education and promotions activities by gauging the public s awareness of and response to such activities; 2. to gauge primary students awareness of and response to the current water conservation education activities; 3. to gauge the public s awareness of and responses to using water saving devices; and 4. to collect water consumptions of households and consumption by different water-consuming appliance, and subsequently identify the end users patterns on water consumption for in-house uses in different domestic types in Hong Kong. WSD will make reference to the collected information in identifying focus areas for implementation of water conversation measures, as well as developing more comprehensive and effective water conservation measures, promotions and education activities. Survey Methodology A pilot survey was conducted in 9 to 30 August 2011, followed by the main fieldwork between 19 September 2011 and 15 January 2012. 1,028 households were successfully enumerated, constituting a response rate of 62.0%. Besides having enumerators conducting face-to-face household survey with the randomly selected households, the households were also required to maintain a self-reported log-book to record details of their water consuming activities for a seven-day period. 1

Key Survey Findings In-depth analyses were conducted to the survey findings with regard to household characteristics (eg. domestic type, building age, useable floor area and average monthly household income, etc.), and household water consumption attitude (eg. whether household was aware of the water conservation promotion by the Government, etc.). The key survey findings are as follows: Part 1 Household s awareness and opinions towards water conservation 86.0% of the households knew that the Government was promoting water conservation. Household being aware that the Government was promoting water conservation had lower household average per capita daily domestic fresh water consumption (122.3L) as compared to those without such awareness (139.2L). Do not know 14.0% Know 86.0% Household average per capita daily domestic fresh water consumption 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 122.3L Know that government was promoting water conservation 139.2L Do not know that government was promoting water conservation 98.8% of the households supported water conservation. For households supporting water conservation, the three water conservation measures most commonly taken were run washing machines with a full load (44.7%), take shorter showers (44.4%) and turn off the tap while brushing teeth, soaping hands or shaving (38.4%). On average, a household took more than 2 water conservation measures. Willingness to support water conservation Do not support 1.2% Water conservation measures taken Run washing machines with a full load 44.7% Take shorter showers 44.4% Support 98.8% Turn off the tap while brushing teeth, soaping hands or shaving 38.4% 30% 40% 50% 2

Only 4.3% of the households being aware of water conservation promotion by the Government did not implement any water conservation measure. On the contrary, 23.5% of the households being unaware of the water conservation promotion did not implement any water conservation measure. Aware of Government's water conservation promotion 4.3% Unaware of Government's water conservation promotion 23.5% 95.7% 76.5% Implemented water conservation measure Did not implement any water conservation measure Implemented water conservation measure Did not implement any water conservation measure The cited reasons for not supporting water conservation were troublesome (60.0%), followed by cannot save water/ cannot lower the water charges (43.5%) and not necessary/ satisfied with current situation (13.3%). Reason Troublesome 60.0% Cannot save water/ cannot lower the water charges 43.5% Not necessary/ satisfied with current situation 13.3% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% About one-third (36.4%) of the households were aware of the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS). Amongst them, 75.7% knew its coverage on shower heads for bathing while 57.3% and 57.0% of them knew its coverage on water taps and washing machines respectively. Water-consuming appliance Awareness of the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme Yes 36.4% Shower heads for bathing Water taps Washing machines 57.3% 57.0% 75.7% 42.7% 43.0% 24.3% Know Do not know No 63.6% Base:All households being aware of the WELS 3

Around half of the households were willing to pay more for appliances with water-saving function. Over half of the households were willing to pay an extra of 10% or more for water saving shower heads, water taps and washing machines. Water-consuming appliance 57.3% 3.0% Shower heads for bathing 42.7% 29.1% 12.5% 12.7% 56.5% 2.6% Water taps 43.5% 29.0% 11.8% 13.0% Average willingness to pay more for appliances with water-saving function 48.0% 52.0% Willing to pay Not willing to pay/do not know/not sure/refuse to answer Washing machines 47.8% 29.3% 11.2% 9.9% 1.9% 1% - 10% more 11% - 20% more 21% - 30% more 31% - 50% more 51% or more 52.2% Base: All households which were willing to pay more to purchase water-consuming appliances with water-saving function Around two-fifth (38.0% - 39.1%) of households indicated that they were very likely/likely to install appliances with water-saving function. Around one-fifth (20.7% - 21.3%) of households indicated that they were very unlikely/unlikely to install appliances with water-saving function. Shower heads for bathing Likelihood of installing water-consuming appliances with water-saving function Water-consuming appliance 5.7% 39.1% 33.4% 38.0% 39.6% 21.3% 15.2% 21.0% 6.1% Water taps Washing machines 6.8% 6.4% 31.2% 38.6% 32.2% 41.0% 40.7% 14.9% 6.1% 20.7% 14.1% 6.6% Very likely Likely Average Unlikely Very unlikely 4

Part 2 Individual household member s awareness and opinions towards water conservation The promotion channel on water conservation being most commonly aware of was TV (94.0%), followed by promotional leaflet as an insert of the water bills (31.3%), newspaper (19.8%) and radio (16.0%). Promotion channels on water conservation that respondents were aware of TV 94.0% Promotional leaflet as an insert of the water bills Newspaper 19.8% 31.3% Radio 16.0% 83.0% of respondents supported the Government in providing citizens with recycled water as a water conservation measure while only a small portion (2.9%) of them did not. 83.0% 0.4% Willingness to support government providing citizens with recycled water as a water conservation measure 13.5% 69.5% 14.1% 2.5% 2.9% Support strongly Support Average Not support Strongly not support 32.5% of respondents considered the Government s work on public education and promotion activities on water conservation were very effective / effective. 19.9% of them held an opposite view, and they recommended to strengthen promotions on TV (82.2%) and strengthen educational activities on water conservation at school (31.2%) to effectively promote and educate about water conservation. Effectiveness of government's work on education and promotion activities on water conservation 100% 1.3% Suggested ways for effective education and promotion activities on water conservation 80% 18.6% 19.9% Strengthen promotions on TV 82.2% 60% 47.7% 40% Strengthen educational activities on water conservation at school 31.2% 20% 32.5% 31.7% 0% Very effective Average Very ineffective 0.7% Effective Ineffective Base : All respondents who considered government s work on education and promotions activities on water conservation as very ineffective or ineffective 5

Part 3 Primary student s awareness and opinions towards water conservation education activities 39.7% of primary student members had heard of water conservation activities organized by their schools. Amongst these students, 48.3% of them had heard of Water Conservation Starts from Home school talk, followed by Water Conservation Ambassadors Selection Scheme (22.4%). Awareness of water conservation activities organized by school Aware 39.7% Type of water conservation activities being aware of Water Conservation Starts from Home school talk 48.3% Water Conservation Ambassadors Selection Scheme 22.4% Unaware 60.3% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Base:All primary student members who had heard of any water conservation activities organized by their school About half of the students who had heard of the water conservation activities had participated in the activities. The most commonly participated activities by these students was Water Conservation Starts from Home school talk (34.2%), followed by Water Conservation Ambassadors Selection Scheme (10.5%). Participated 47.4% Activity participated in Water Conservation Starts from Home school talk 34.2% Never participated/ Do not know/ Not sure 52.6% Water Conservation Ambassadors Selection Scheme 10.5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Base:All primary student members who had heard of any water conservation activities 66.4% of primary student members felt interested in participating in water conservation activities if their school organize these activities in the future while about 22.6% of them did not. 11.0% of primary students members were neutral. Do not know / not sure / no opinion 11.0% Interested 66.4% Not interested 22.6% 6

Part 4 Water-consuming appliances currently used 38.7%, 27.1%, 21.5% and 12.7% of the shower heads were with flow rate equivalent to WELS Grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The average maximum flow rate for shower heads was 11.1L/min, equivalent to WELS Grade 2. WELS Grade Percentage of shower heads with equivalent flow rate Grade 1 (flow rate 9.0L/min) 38.7% Grade 2 (9.0L/min < flow rate 12.0L/min) 27.1% Grade 3 (12.0L/min < flow rate 16.0L/min) 21.5% Grade 4 (16.0L/min < flow rate) 12.7% 11.4%, 14.3%, 22.0% and 52.4% of mixing type water taps were with flow rate equivalent to WELS Grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The average maximum flow rate for mixing type water taps was 10.2L/min, equivalent to WELS Grade 4. WELS Grade Percentage of mixing type water taps with equivalent flow rate Grade 1 (flow rate 5.0 L/min) 11.4% Grade 2 (5.0 L/min < flow rate 7.0 L/min) 14.3% Grade 3 (7.0 L/min < flow rate 9.0 L/min) 22.0% Grade 4 (9.0 L/min < flow rate) 52.4% 0.5%, 4.5%, 18.2% and 76.8% of non-mixing type water taps were with flow rate equivalent to WELS Grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The average maximum flow rate for non-mixing type water taps was 10.2L/min, equivalent to WELS Grade 4. WELS Grade Percentage of non-mixing type water taps with equivalent flow rate Grade 1 (flow rate 2.0L/min) 0.5% Grade 2 (2.0L/min < flow rate 4.0L/min) 4.5% Grade 3 (4.0L/min < flow rate 6.0L/min) 18.2% Grade 4 (6.0L/min < flow rate) 76.8% 7

35.3%, 47.7%, 9.7% and 7.3% of horizontal drum type washing machines were with water consumption equivalent to WELS Grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The average water consumption for horizontal drum type washing machines was 9.8L/kg/cycle, equivalent to WELS Grade 2. WELS Grade Percentage of horizontal drum type washing machines with equivalent water consumption Grade 1 (water consumption 9.0L/kg/cycle) 35.3% Grade 2 (9.0 L/kg/cycle < water consumption 11.0 L/kg/cycle) Grade 3 (11.0 L/kg/cycle < water consumption 13.0L/kg/cycle) 47.7% 9.7% Grade 4 (13.0L/kg/cycle < water consumption) 7.3% 42.7%, 19.5%, 7.3% and 30.5% of impeller type/agitator type washing machines were with water consumption equivalent to WELS Grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The average water consumption for impeller type/agitator type washing machines was 17.3L/kg/cycle, equivalent to WELS Grade 2. WELS Grade Percentage of impeller type/ agitator type washing machines with equivalent water consumption Grade 1 (water consumption 16.0L/kg/cycle) 42.7% Grade 2 (16.0 L/kg/cycle < water consumption 19.0 L/kg/cycle) Grade 3 (19.0 L/kg/cycle < water consumption 22.0L/kg/cycle) 19.5% 7.3% Grade 4 (22.0L/kg/cycle < water consumption) 30.5% 8

Part 5 Consumption patterns The household average per capita daily domestic fresh water consumption was 124.7L. The figure was higher for households with 1-2 members (143.0L) than those with 3 or more members (112.3L 113.8L). The figure was also higher for households in low/medium density private housing and village houses (138.3L) than those in public / government housing estates (120.2L). Household average per capita daily domestic fresh water consumption 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 124.7L 143.0L 113.8L 112.3L 120.2L Overall 1-2 3-4 5 or above Public / government housing estates 138.3L Medium/low density private buildings and village houses Number of household members (including live-in domestic helpers) Type of households The household average per capita daily consumption of shower heads for bathing was 55.2L. The household average daily per capita frequency of showering was 1.04 times and the duration per shower was 6.7 minutes in average. Item Household average per capita daily consumption of shower heads for bathing Household average daily per capita frequency of showering Average duration per shower Result 55.2L 1.04 times 6.7minutes The household average per capita daily consumption of water taps was 61.1L. The figure was higher for households with 1-2 members (77.6L) than those with 3 or more members (46.9L 51.9 L). Water tap consumption 100 80 77.6L 60 61.1L 51.9L 46.9L 40 20 0 Overall 1-2 household members 3-4 household members 5 household members or above 9

The household average per capita daily consumption of washing machines was 13.0L. The figure was higher for households with 1-2 members (16.5L) than those with 3 or more members (11.0L 11.5 L). Washing machine consumption 20 16 12 13.0L 16.5L 11.5L 11.0L 8 4 0 Overall 1-2 household members 3-4 household members 5 household members or above The average shower durations for respondents aged 14 or below, 15-34, 35-54 and 55 or above were 6.2 minutes, 7.8 minutes, 6.5 minutes and 6.0 minutes respectively. The average shower duration for those aged 15 34 was longer. Age group Average shower duration 14 or below 6.2 minutes 15-34 7.8 minutes 35-54 6.5 minutes 55 or above 6.0 minutes Domestic fresh water was mainly consumed through water tap (46.6%) and shower (43.3%), followed by washing machine (9.0%) and bath tub (1.2%). Water taps 46.6% Shower heads for bathing 43.3% Bath tubs 1.2% Washing machines 9.0% 10

In households with high per capita consumption level, 57.8% and 35.6% of their water was consumed through water tap and shower respectively. In households with low per capita consumption level, 33.0% and 50.7% of their water was consumed through water tap and shower respectively. High per capita water consumption level 35.6% 6.4% 57.8% Low per capita consumption level 50.7% 13.8% 33.0% Shower heads for bathing Bath tubs Washing machines Water taps Households with live-in domestic helpers were found more likely to consume more water per capita than those without. 55.8% of households with live-in domestic helpers were with medium-to-high/high per capita consumption level, while for households without live-in domestic helpers, the percentage was only 39.5%. 44.3% Presence of live-in domestic helpers 22.1% 22.2% 33.5% 22.3% 55.8% 60.5% Absence of live-in domestic helpers 30.2% 30.3% 19.0% 20.5% Low water consumption Medium-to-high water consumption 39.5% Low-to-medium water consumption High water consumption Households aware of the Government s water conservation promotion were more likely to consume less water per capita than those without such awareness. 59.8% of these households were with low/low-to-medium per capita consumption level, while for households being unaware of the Government s water conservation promotion the percentage was only 53.1%. Aware of promotions on water conservation by Government Unware of promotions on water conservation by Government 30.1% 25.0% 53.1% 59.8% 28.1% 29.7% 17.1% 21.0% 29.8% 19.2% Low water consumption Medium-to-high water consumption 40.2% 46.9% Low-to-medium water consumption High water consumption 11