Is your Sydney home water efficient?
Water is a limited resource in Australia. With the growth in population and housing, the need and price for water continue to rise. Ensuring that your home is water efficient can help to keep your water bills as low as they can be. You probably wouldn't be surprised to know that there are still a lot of homes that aren't water efficient or are only partially efficient. Make the switch today and make sure that your home complies with the latest standards in water efficiency.
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What does water efficient mean?
Water efficient or water efficiency is a term used to describe water being restricted depending on its particular purpose. By restricting the amount of water used you are in effect also reducing the amount of water wasted. This is done by means of measurement. For example: restricting a shower head to only allow 9 litres of water per minute as opposed to a standard non-water efficient shower head that allows 12-16 litres per minute.
Water efficient devices
One of the most commonly known water-efficient devices is new shower heads. Water-efficient shower heads are easily upgradable from the old type and you hardly notice that you are using less water. You can also get water-efficient cold water taps and single mixer taps for kitchen sinks and bathroom hand basins.
When it comes to water-efficient appliances and amenities the Government introduced the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme. This scheme is applied to appliances and amenities that use water or consume water, to show consumers how much they use and how water-efficient they are. To read more on the WELS scheme visit waterrating.gov.au.
Home water consumption
When it comes to being water efficient sometimes it also helps to know what consumes water that you are paying for. The below graph indicates the average household usage of water, based on a recent study of water consumption in Australian homes.
Please note: The above graph is based on average and may not correctly represent your home.
Benefits of water efficiency
By ensuring that your home is water efficient you are keeping your water bills down as much as possible. One of the main positives to ensuring your home is water efficient is being able to pass on the water charges to your tenants.
Passing on water charges
In order to fully pass on the water charges to your tenants, you need to meet the minimum criteria listed below.
- Your premise must be individually metered.
- Forwarded charges mustn't exceed the amount on your water bill.
- Your premise must at least meet the minimum water efficiency standards
Water efficiency standards
| Water efficient devices | Minimum water efficiency standard required |
| Internal cold water taps and single mixer taps for kitchen sinks and bathroom hand basins | A maximum flow rate of 9 litres per minute |
| Showerheads | A maximum flow rate of 9 litres per minute |
| No leaking taps | No leaking taps anywhere on the premises at the start of the tenancy or when the other water efficiency measures are installed |
For water efficiency and passing on water charges please visit www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.
How Everyday Plumbing can help
We can help you to get your home completely water-efficient from taps and mixers to shower heads and lavatory systems. Our team can talk you through what you need and can install and plumb anything that you need to make your home or business water efficient and start your journey to cutting your water bills. Give us a call on 0406 400 200 or 9191 7309 alternatively fill in our online booking form and we'll get in touch at a time that suits you.
