Understanding the Water Ratings When Purchasing New Toilets

It is about environmentally conscious by saving as much clean water as we can.

Have you ever wondered how much water your household consumes? And how much of that is unnecessary?  The standard flush toilet uses up to about 11 liters of water per flush, that’s too much water literally going down the drain.  Thankfully, toilet and water tap manufacturers are required by the Australian government to design water efficient flush toilets and water taps. 

So if you are going to purchase a toilet for your new home or for renovation purposes, your choice in toilets will dictate how much water your household consumes.  About 25% of total household water consumption comes from toilet flushing, which is why it’s best that you are aware of the rating system that is indicated in each toilet’s label or the WELS Scheme. 

WELS stands for Water Efficiency Labeling and Standards scheme.  The WELS water rating label provides two pieces of information that help you compare toilets that are available in stores.  First is the one to six star rating which indicates the toilet’s water efficiency level. Second is the amount of water consumed per flush and half flush.  The higher the number of stars and the lower the number or liters used per flush means the toilet is much more water efficient. 

The rating is provided by testing laboratories that are accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities.  These independent laboratories tests the performance of each toilet before it is introduced in the market.

Currently, the most common rating you will find that is given to most water saving toilets available in showrooms today is between 3 to 4 stars. These ratings allow your household to save water up to 45% and 55%. The only 5 star rated toilets available include integrated hand basins. These toilets reuse the fresh water already used for hand washing.

It’s a good idea to consider dual flush toilets for your home.  Pressure flush is also more efficient than the usual gravity flush toilet because it provides more power in getting rid of the debris. 

The WELS scheme is not exclusive to toilets, the rating scheme encompasses all products that uses water – water taps, showers, washing machines and dishwashers.  So the next time you purchase any of these products make sure you compare not only design and price but also the water rating for a more water efficient household.