As efforts to curb the consumption of bottled water for environmental reasons continue around Australia and the world, it appears as though fewer Australians are now drinking bottled water, according to the latest Roy Morgan Research Non-Alcoholic Drinks Survey. Five years ago in 2007, 26 per cent of the Australian population consumed bottled water, compared to 23 per cent in 2011.

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 largest declines have come from the 25-34 year age group (36 per cent in 2007 to 29 per cent in 2011) and the 14-25 year age group (35 per cent in 2007 down to 31 per centin 2011). Lesser declines were seen among older age groups, which typically have lower proportions of bottled water drinkers.