Demand management - how low can you go and at what cost?

The National Infrastructure Plan was published in 2011 and identified the water sector as the poorest performer. A three-year Action Plan has been developed and includes the action to “Increase understanding of and encourage debate on the use of demand management and pricing in infrastructure sectors”. Demand management and water efficiency best practice is well established globally through a toolbox of options. For water service providers to manage water efficiently and wisely, an understanding of the drivers for efficiency, community perceptions and misconceptions and the funding challenges when implementing programmes will help inform the debate as to how far we can go and at what cost.