Abstract:
The use of demand management programs to achieve permanent and reliable decreases
in water consumption through retrofits of water using equipment is relatively new in
Australia, and has been carried out on the basis of models which predict savings, and on
results of demand management programs undertaken overseas. The availability of
information on actual savings achieved by demand management programs in Australia is
extremely limited. This paper outlines the results of the evaluation of three retrofit
programs undertaken in NSW, two of which involved a visit by a plumber to households to
carry out a retrofit of indoor water using equipment at a subsidised price; the other taking a
'hands-off' approach and relying on a discount incentive mechanism to increase the
market share of water efficient showerheads.
