Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme

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Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS)
Scheme
PSF2008 16 June Dianne Deane Director, Water
Efficiency and Labelling Scheme
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What is the WELS Scheme?

• National regulatory system mid 2005
• Australian Government - in partnership with
  states territories
• Mandatory labelling of products to indicate water
  use efficiency (June 2006)
• Clothes washing machines dishwashers tapware
  showers toilets urinals flow controllers
• Minimum water efficiency standard for toilets

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What is the WELS Scheme?

• Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005
• Regulations, Determinations Declaration
• Mirror legislation in states and territories
• Intergovernmental Agreement - WELSAC
• WELS Standard AS/NZS 6400 ensures
• Technical expertise and input
• Performance standards only water use efficiency
  must be fit for purpose!

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WELS Label
The more stars the more water saved
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What can WELS achieve?

• 2003-2004 EPHC feasibility studies
• By 2021 WELS could reduce water use each year by
  5 or 610 mgl
• Save 600M in water and energy costs
• Currently 9,600 product models registered
• WELS is cost effective (ISF Cost Effectiveness
  study)

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Possible Expansion of WELS

• EPHC Nov 2007 - agreed to investigate new
  products and minimum efficiency standards
• 3 rigorous Cost Benefit Analysis and Regulation
  Impact Assessments underway
• new products, plumbing products and minimum water
  efficiency standards
• public consultation on 3 RIS
• timeframes mid 2008 to mid 2009
• Further supporting technical studies underway

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Improving Effectiveness of WELS

• New Registration Database
• trial in August with stakeholders
• Review of WELS Act AS/NZS 6400, aims to
• clarify requirements
• correct inconsistencies and omissions
• Improve effectiveness of Scheme

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Compliance Enforcement

• Mandatory since July 2006 education, advice
• Sept 2007 to June 2008 65 inspections
• Moving toward stronger enforcement actions
• 18 inspectors appointed
• 66 compliance cases legally can only
  acknowledge complaints, can not provide further
  advice
• Moving towards issuing infringements (penalties
  to be paid 1,320 individuals6,600 company per
  offence)
• Check-testing process commencing end 2008

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Activities to Engage Industry

• - Articles/Ads in Trade and Lifestyle Magazines
• Using Industry Associations
• Using water authorities, Local Government
• Industry Forums
• Retail sales and uptake data acquisition

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House of Reps Inquiry into Regulating Plumbing
Quality Managing the Flow

• Recommendation - WaterMark as a prerequisite for
  WELS registration
• Issue - products could be WELS registered but
  under state legislation, not legally installed
• Whole of government response prepared
• - Looking at ways of meeting the intent of the
  recommendation
• ISF to consult as part of CBA/RIS on plumbing WES
• Including advice on website that plumbing
  products need to have WaterMark to be legally
  installed

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WELS AND GREEN BUILDINGS

• WELS already recognised in the Green Star suite
  of tools
• The Commonwealth has funded the development of
  and continues to support the NABERS tool for
  rating
• In most jurisdictions that have implemented
  rating tools such as BASIX, WELS is recognised.
• WELS working to ensure consistency in approach

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NATIONAL RAINWATER AND GREYWATER INITIATIVE

• 250 million National Rainwater Greywater
  Initiative
• Funding over six years from 2008-09 to 2013-14
• Rebates lt 500 for households to install
  rainwater
• tanks/ greywater systems
• Grants to Surf Lifesaving Clubs lt 10,000 for
• tanks and water saving projects
• More information available after 1 July 2008

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Instantaneous gas hot water

• Acknowledgement that all hot water services
  potentially waste water
• Switch away from storage hot water to
  instantaneous has energy benefits, but water
  penalties
• Testing instantaneous gas hot water has
  identified large amounts of water wastage
• Likely candidate for WELS labelling and minimum
  water efficiency standards.

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Summary

• WELS makes a valuable contribution to the water
  conservation agenda
• Expansion and review processes are timely and
  solid process of investigation commencing
• Public consultation at all key phases