Fewer Australians are drinking bottled water says survey

As efforts to curb the consumption of bottled water, for environmental reasons, continue around Australia and the world,
it appears that fewer Australians are drinking bottled water, according to the latest Roy Morgan Research non-alcoholic drinks survey.

In 2007, 26% of the Australian population consumed bottled water, compared to 23% in 2011, says the survey, which also included soft drinks, juices, energy drinks, sports drinks and others.

Bottled water bans are now in place in the NSW town of Bundanoon, the University of Canberra, the Southbank campus of the Victorian College of Arts and the Monte Sant Angelo Mercy College in Sydney. In North America, many colleges are also considering banning or restricting the sale of bottled water.

The researchers claim that these bans, and their associated publicity, have impacted bottled water consumption and may result in further declines in the future.

“With continuing campaigning against bottled water sales by activist groups such as DoSomething!, as well as the possibility of bans and restrictions increasing, we may see greater declines in bottled water consumption in the coming years,” said Norman Morris, Industry Communications Director, Roy Morgan Research.

The largest declines have come from the 25- to 34-year age group (36% in 2007, down to 29% in 2011) and the 14- to 25-year age group (35% in 2007, down to 31% in 2011). Lesser declines were seen among older age groups, who typically have lower proportions of bottled water drinkers. The over-65 age group increased slightly.

The Roy Morgan consumer data comes from part of an ongoing nationwide single source survey of over 50,000 Australians annually, showing distinct trends over a number of years.