Victoria’s non-residential sector - which includes industrial, commercial and institutional customers - is becoming increasingly water efficient.

Melbourne’s non-residential customers have made significant water savings, reducing their per capita daily water consumption by about 38 per cent per capita compared to the 1990s averages. This is in line with Melbourne’s overall reduction of about 35 per cent compared to the 1990s averages.

In 2007/08, Melbourne’s non-residential sector reduced its demand for water by 8 billion litres. In the context of Melbourne’s overall reduction of 31.6 billion litres in 2007/08, this equates to the non-residential sector contributing 25 per cent of the savings for that year.

Melbourne's businesses of all sizes are encouraged to participate in Support 155 - a program which aims to help business save water through water use assessments, ideas for working with employees to save water and other assistance. 

Across Victoria the non-residential sector in 2006/07 reduced its total water consumption by 11 per cent in comparison to 2005/06 consumption figures. The urban non-residential sector consumes about 5 per cent of the State’s water, increasing to 8 per cent if Latrobe Valley major users are included.

While some businesses still require large quantities of water, many non-residential users are becoming increasingly efficient in the way they use water and minimise waste.