Reducing your flow rates
Reducing the flow rate of water fixtures can greatly reduce water consumption, particularly in the shower. To safely reduce flow rates in your house you must first ensure that your hot water system is Mains pressure. If you have an unwrapped hot water cylinder it will usually state on the outside if it is a Mains or Low pressure system. Gas and instantaneous systems are usually Mains pressure, but if unsure please seek advice from a plumber.We recommend a shower flow rate of 9 litres per minute to provide effective water coverage and efficient water use. Households using a Mains hot water or Gas system may be able to install flow restrictors or replace the existing shower head with a low flow shower head. For details on measuring your flow rate and installing a flow restrictor download our Measure your flow rates flyer.
Mixer taps can also have flow restricting aerators installed. These are particularly useful in high tap use areas such as the kitchen, and can also reduce splashing which is common in shallow bathroom sinks. For more information on installing flow restricting tap aerators download our Safely install Water Saving Devices flyer.
Reducing your toilet flush
Toilets with plastic cisterns, particularly the single flush models, can use up to 12 litres of water per flush equating to $40 worth of water per person each year more than is necessary. Water consumption can be reduced by putting a couple of two litre plastic milk bottles filled with water, or a few large unsealed glass jars placed upright inside the cistern. A brick is the more common method but be aware that over time it may crumble, distributing pesky bits of mortar into your plumbing for future potential issues. Alternatively you could consider installing a lead counterweight – a “Gizmo” into the cistern to limit the amount of water flushed, or replace your cistern with a more efficient one. To find out how to measure the amount of water your toilet uses to flush, and to install a toilet Gizmo download our Measure your toilet flush flyer.
Water Efficiency Labeling Scheme
When purchasing an item that uses water, consider it’s efficiency. WELS make this very simple – the more stars on the WELS label, the more water efficient the product is. Introduced on 1 April, 2013 the New Zealand WELS scheme is designed to provide water efficiency information to consumers buying products that use water. WELS labels must be displayed on the following types of new products being sold: washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, urinals, showers and taps. For more information read An Introduction to the New Zealand Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme.