Benchmarks for water use
We've developed simple benchmarks to help you easily compare your water use with other businesses like yours.
Each business type has its own benchmark measure for efficient water use.
An important part of your benchmark is the key business activity indicator (KBAI). This is a measure of how much water an efficient business uses for specific activities. Find out more in the tables below.
Benchmarking your business's water use will help you:
measure your performance
compare your performance against other similar businesses
identify potential inefficiencies
determine realistic operating targets
better plan for changes in your business operations.
Work out your benchmark
Determine your water use (kilolitres a year).
Identify your yearly key business activity indicator (KBAI).
Divide the kilolitres of water you use a year by your KBAI. This is your benchmark.
Knowing your benchmark helps you operate more efficiently.
Water restrictions target outdoor water use and apply to everyone across greater Sydney. However, we understand that some water use is critical for businesses. See how water restrictions may affect your business and check whether you need to apply for a water restrictions exemption.
Find the appropriate benchmark for your business type
Rating |
Benchmark litres per bather |
Benchmark litres per patron |
|---|---|---|
| Best practice | <20 | <10 |
| Efficient | 20 to 40 | 10 to 25 |
| Fair | 40 to 60 | 25 to 40 |
| Inefficient | >60 | >40 |
For more details, read our Best practice guidelines for water management in aquatic leisure centres.
Club facility type |
Benchmark |
|---|---|
| With no cooling tower or swimming pool | 20 litres per customer per day |
| With cooling towers and no swimming pool | 22 litres per customer per day |
| With cooling towers and swimming pool | 28 litres per customer per day |
For more details, read our Best practice guidelines for water efficiency in clubs.
Rating |
Benchmark |
|---|---|
| Efficient | <35 litres per food cover |
| Fair | 35 to 45 litres per food cover |
| Inefficient | >45 litres per food cover |
Rating |
Benchmark without reuse water |
Benchmark with reuse water |
|---|---|---|
| Efficient | 17 to 22 litres per kilogram linen | 12 to 15 litres per kilogram linen |
| Fair | 22 to 26 litres per kilogram linen | 15 to 18 litres per kilogram linen |
| Inefficient | > 26 litres per kilogram linen | > 18 litres per kilogram linen |
Ratings |
Benchmark with cooling towers |
Benchmark without cooling towers |
|---|---|---|
| Best practice | 0.77 kilolitres/m2/ year | 0.40 kilolitres/m2/ year |
| Efficient | 0.84 kilolitres/m2/ year | 0.47 kilolitres/m2/ year |
| Fair | 1.01 kilolitres/m2/ year | 0.64 kilolitres/m2/ year |
Rating |
Benchmark |
|---|---|
| Best practice | 0.4 kilolitres per room per day |
| Efficient | 0.4 to 0.45 kilolitres per room per day |
Rating |
Best practice benchmark |
|---|---|
| Elite | 4 to 9 megalitres per hectare per year |
| Regional | 2.5 to 5 megalitres per hectare per year |
| Local | 1.5 to 3.5 megalitres per hectare per year |
| Passive | 0 to 2.5 megalitres per hectare per year |
For more details, read our Best practice guidelines for holistic open space turf management.
Get help
If we've assigned a relationship manager to you, we can help benchmark your business's water use. We'll organise a relationship management meeting to help you:
identify your key business activity indicator (KBAI)
track your historical water use
determine your benchmark
compare your benchmark against other similar businesses
recommend efficiency improvements.
Contact your Business Customer Representative, call us on 1300 985 227 or email businesscustomers@sydneywater.com.au.