Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS)

The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme rates hardware and appliances based on water efficiency, with up to six stars for the most water-efficient products. Look for products that are rated three stars or higher.

The WELS water rating label helps you choose water-efficient household products that save water and money. 

The WELS scheme regulates:

• Taps and showers
• Toilets and urinals
• Dishwashers and washing machines 
• Flow controllers

Find out more: Waterwise Products OR Water Rating Label

Water Measuring Cup

The Northam and Wundowie Libraries have a ‘Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit Kit’ available for loan, which includes a basin-flow measuring cup to help determine the flow rate of taps and showerheads.

Showers

Showerheads

Old-fashioned showerheads can use up to 20L of water per minute. Installing a waterwise showerhead can save a significant amount of water (up to 20,000L per person per year – enough to fill a small backyard pool).  Look for a WELS 4-star rating or better.

New, water-efficient shower heads can deliver the same level of pressure and spray as older, inefficient models by improving aeration.

Measure Water Use

To measure the flow rate of your showerhead, turn on the tap to full and direct water into a bucket or container (with markings up the side) for 15 seconds. Note the number of litres in the bucket, then multiply by 4 to get the litres per minute flow rate.

The same test can be used to determine the amount of water used when showering by setting the tap to your desired shower pressure and measuring the flow rate. You can then multiply the litres per minute amount by the number of minutes you shower to discover the amount of water used per shower.   

Shower Time

The Water Corporation recommends showering for 4 minutes or less.

In WA, the average shower lasts over six minutes. If everyone reduced their shower time by just one minute, 12 billion litres of water would be saved each year, that's enough to fill Optus Stadium 12 times!

Try using a shower timer or pick your favourite four-minute song from a Spotify playlist to put on when you shower.

In warmer weather, you could take a ‘navy shower’, which involves running the water to get wet, turning off the water to wash with soap or shampoo, then turning the water on again to rinse off.

Shower Tips

Brush your teeth at the sink, instead of in the shower. Brushing your teeth in the shower can waste up to 9 L of water per minute.

Instead of letting cold water run down the drain while waiting for it to heat, collect it in a bucket to water your plants.

Public Showers

For public facilities, consider using push-button or sensor-timed showers to reduce water use.

Water Aware:

• How much water does your showerhead use per minute?
• How long do you shower for? And how much water do you use?
• Can you shower in 4 minutes or less?
• Research if there are more waterwise options you could retrofit your current showerhead with. Note the cost of hardware, and if you can replace it yourself or would need to hire someone to install. Analyse potential water savings and cost-benefit to determine whether upgrading is a feasible option.

Bathtubs

Look for a low-volume bathtub with a small surface area.

Bath Tips

Don't overfill the tub: There's no need to overfill your bathtub; use only as much water as you need.

Monitor the temperature: Avoid repeatedly topping up with hot water, as this leads to a fuller tub and more wasted water.

Consider reusing bathwater: If you're using eco-friendly soaps, consider using leftover bathwater to water your garden or even wash the car.

Water Aware:

• Could you use less water in your bath to get the same result?
• How much water do you use when you have a bath? You can determine this by following the flow-rate measurement in the shower section.

Taps

You can reduce the amount of water taps use by replacing older taps with better WELS-rated hardware (aim for 6 stars for bathrooms and 4 stars for kitchen/laundry taps). Alternatively, you can make minor modifications to reduce the flow rate, such as installing flow controllers or aerators on existing taps.

Measure Flow Rate

To measure the flow rate of your tap, turn on the water to full and direct it into a measuring container whilst timing for 10 seconds. Note the amount of water in the container and multiply it by 6 to get the litres per minute flow rate.

Note: The Northam and Wundowie Libraries have a ‘Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit Kit’ available for loan, which contains a basin flow measuring cup to help determine the water flow rate of taps.

Tap Tips

Don’t leave the tap running while washing hands, dishes, or cleaning your teeth. Turn the tap off whilst cleaning, then back on to rinse.

Don’t over-tighten taps, as it can wear out the washers and cause leaks. If you notice a leaking tap, check the washer and replace it if needed.

Water Aware:

• Do your taps have an aerator or flow controller? If not, can you add one?
• How much water do your taps use per minute?
• Can you turn the water off while brushing your teeth, washing your hands, washing dishes, etc.?
• Research if there are more waterwise options you could retrofit your current hardware with. Note the cost of hardware, and if you can replace it yourself or would need to hire someone to install. Analyse potential water savings and cost-benefit to determine whether upgrading is a feasible option.

Toilets & Urinals

Older-style single-flush toilets use up to 11 litres per flush, compared with a newer dual-flush toilet that uses 3.5 litres per flush. Installing a water-efficient toilet to replace a single-flush toilet could save households around 30,000 litres of water per year.

If installing a new toilet, choose a dual-flush model with a WELS 4-star rating or higher.

If you’re unable to install a new toilet, you can place a 1 or 2 litre bottle of water in your toilet’s cistern (i.e. a reused drink bottle full of water with the lid on). It will reduce the water required to fill the cistern, thereby lowering the water used per flush. Given that people use the toilet seven times per day on average, this is a cost-effective way to save water.  

Measure Flow Rate

To check the flow rates of toilets and urinals, look at the WELS water rating label or check the specifications of the toilet model on the manufacturer’s website. Alternatively, if you have access to the cistern, discover the flush volume by:

1. Removing the cistern lid
2. Marking the water level inside
3. Turning off the water supply valve to stop the cistern from refilling
4. Flushing your toilet, using full or half flushes
5. Using a bucket to fill the cistern up to the mark you made
6. Recording the number of litres it takes to refill the cistern
7. Once finished, don’t forget to turn the cistern water supply valve back on

Detect a Leak

A leaking toilet can waste up to 25 L of water per day. You can test for leaks by adding a dash of food colouring to the toilet cistern, leaving it for an hour or two without flushing or using it, and then inspecting the toilet bowl. If the water in the toilet bowl shows signs of colour, you have a leak.

There are several possible causes of a leak, and numerous online troubleshooting guides to help resolve them. However, most issues can be resolved by checking, cleaning, adjusting, and replacing faulty cistern components (hardware stores carry replacement parts for toilets) or by engaging a plumber. Visit the Water Corporation website to find out more about leaky toilets.

After replacing the parts, repeat the food colouring test to confirm the leak has been fixed.

Waterless toilets

Toilets that do not require water for flushing can have lower environmental impacts than water-efficient toilets. If appropriately designed, they save water and money and prevent the discharge of effluent and pollutants into waterways and the broader environment. There are various types of waterless toilets that do not emit odours and may suit a modern bathroom. Find out more by clicking here.

Note, you need to contact the Shire for advice before installing a composting or waterless toilet.

Urinals

An average urinal uses 2.2 litres of water per flush. A low flush, 3-star WELS urinal uses less than 1.5 litres per flush, a reduction of over 30%.

You can improve your water efficiency by: 

• installing smart controls or sensor-driven flushing urinals
• check timing and volumes for timed / cyclic flush systems
• install low-flow valves or adjust flush valves for urinals with no cistern
• Consider waterless urinals, but a cost analysis should be done prior to installation.

Hardware Upgrade Considerations

Switching from an old appliance to a new one may require additional steps, which increase the replacement cost.

Hardware considerations should include:

• Costs quoted in the financial analysis should include restoring the fitting and fixture to their pre-work condition, or at least to a satisfactory level, if décor is not an essential consideration.
• The percentage of water the appliance sends to the sewer
• Trap types (“P” or “S”) for toilets
• Trough length for urinals
• WELS labels

Toilet Use

If you have a dual-flush toilet, be sure to use the half-flush for urine and the full-flush for solids. It is common practice for people connected to rainwater to flush only the toilets to dispose of solids, leaving urine to accumulate between uses.

Water Aware:

• How much water does your toilet use when you flush it? (both half and full flush if relevant)
• Do you use the right flush half when you go to the toilet?

Appliances

Save water in your washing machine and dishwasher by waiting until they're full before turning them on, to maximise the efficiency of the water used.

When buying new machines, look for a WELS rating of 4.5 stars or better.

Washing Machine

Consider switching to a front-loader, which uses up to 35% less water than a top-loader of the same capacity.

If you use a biodegradable, synthetic-fragrance-free, environmentally friendly detergent, you may be able to divert washing machine wastewater (greywater) for another purpose, such as watering the lawn/garden bed (non-edible plants only).

Dishes

Don’t rinse before washing. Scrape food residue from dishes and dispose of it in the compost, rather than rinsing it away.

Fully load the dishwasher before use and select the economy cycle if available. Check your manual to identify which settings use the least water.

If you wash dishes by hand, always use a plug in the sink rather than letting the tap run continuously.

Extra tip: To save significant energy, turn off the dishwasher's drying cycle and open the door to let your dishes air-dry naturally.

Water Aware:

• Are you able to find out how much water is used per wash for your dishwasher and washing machine cycles? You can research this by looking up the user manual for your make and model.
• Is there a different wash cycle you could use in the dishwasher or washing machine that uses less water but achieves the same result?

Air Conditioning

To cool your house, install reverse-cycle air conditioning or ceiling fans instead of evaporative systems, which can use 60-100 litres of water per hour.

Evaporative Air Conditioners

If you have an evaporative system, you can still make savings by using the ‘fan only’ setting at night and when it’s humid. Set the timer to turn off at night and when you’re away. Keep windows and doors slightly open for effective cooling.

Look for signs of leaks if your system is blowing hot air out, even when it’s set to cool mode, or calcium stains become visible on your roof from leaking water.

Consider collecting wastewater from evaporative systems by placing a container under the dump pipe and emptying it into pot plants for reuse. Note that this water is higher in total dissolved salts than tap water due to the evaporative process of the air conditioner. Reusing this water requires vigilance to avoid leaving it standing for extended periods, as this can allow mosquitoes to breed.

Clean and maintain your system annually to ensure your air conditioning continues to work effectively and reduce your water use. Get a summer start-up service from an authorised air conditioning service provider. They can check for leaks, remove any salt buildup, set the optimal bleed-off rate, and clean or replace filter pads.  

Water Aware:

• What type of air conditioning do you have?
  • If you have evaporative air conditioning:
  • Do you collect the bleed-off water?
  • When was the last time your system was serviced?
  • Are the filters clean?
  • Do you have any visible calcium stains on your roof?
  • Is hot air blowing out, even though it’s set to cool mode?

Pools & Spas

Using a pool or spa cover can help reduce water loss via evaporation. Without a cover, you can lose more than your entire pool’s volume every year.

Covers should conceal water when not in use. In addition to conserving water, a cover can reduce chemical use, shorten cleaning time, and keep the water warmer, allowing swimmers to swim for longer periods of the year.

There are several pool cover options, including solar, automatic, manual, thermal, safety, and winter covers. You can read a short description on the Water Corporation’s website.

Water Aware:

• Does your pool or spa have a cover? If not, investigate which cover best suits your situation and determine the purchase cost (compare new and second-hand options if available).

Hot Water Systems

Storage hot water systems release some water through a pressure relief valve when heating water. Consider having a professional inspect the release valves and set them to the manufacturer's minimum recommended release rate.

Water Aware:

• Does your hot water system have a pressure release valve? If so, can you safely collect the expelled water in a container for reuse?