CANBERRA, Australia, August 19, 2004 (ENS) – Australians are expected to save more water than the entire contents of Sydney Harbour by the year 2021 as the result of a mandatory water efficiency labeling system for appliances launched today. About half that amount will be saved by more efficient washing machines, and most of the rest will be saved by more efficient showers and toilets.
The Minister for Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell said the water efficiency labeling and standards scheme is the first of its kind in the world. "The mandatory scheme will be phased in so that by late next year, six appliances must carry water efficiency labels: washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, showerheads, some types of taps and urinals. It will also set minimum water efficiency standards for toilets," said Campbell.
The introduction of national mandatory water efficiency labeling and minimum performance standards for domestic water-using devices "will help consumers make informed decisions about which appliance to purchase and the water savings that are possible," the minister said.
The scheme is funded under Measures for a Better Environment, an Australian government initiative developed in collaboration with the Australian Democrats. Further products are expected to be added to the scheme over time.
The program is drawing upon the experience of the mandatory energy efficiency labeling system in place across Australia, which has seen an energy efficiency improvement for refrigerators and freezers of 50 percent over a 13 year period, and projected improvements of 70 percent over 25 years. "Water is one of the most critical environmental issues facing Australia and we all have a role to play in helping reduce water consumption," said Campbell.
By choosing more efficient appliances, the community could also save more than A$600 million through reduced water and energy bills by 2021," he said.
"It will also achieve these savings without any compromise in performance, showing that clever design can benefit consumers, the economy and the environment.
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) has long supported water conservation in the home. "Choose water efficient appliances and fittings for the bathroom, laundry, kitchen and garden. Water efficient appliances are readily available – if you can't see them on the shelf, ask for them. They are a perfect way to reduce your water consumption – and your water bill – without lifting a finger," says Australia's largest environmental group.
"We need to set ourselves realistic targets for reducing water consumption in homes and commercial office buildings. Each resident and each employee should be aiming to reduce their water consumption at home and at work by at least 50 percent by 2020," the ACF says.
But in 2002, Sydney residents used more than 600,000 million litres of water, the equivalent of all the water held in Sydney Harbour.
There is plenty of room for improvement. Half the water supplied to urban areas in Australia ends up as waste water according to an Institute for Sustainable Futures Report prepared for the Water Services Association in 1998. And only one percent of all water in Australia is reused, the ACF says. Australia is already the driest inhabited continent, and now Australia is entering a period of water shortage, according to the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia, which says, "Shortage of water supply, and the high variability of rainfall have also become critical issues for urban water management."
"Only one to two percent of the rain that falls actually finds its way into a stream on the east or southeast coast of Australia, where the majority of Australians live," the Committee said in a policy statement that argues for the establishment of a national water trading market that enables water to be traded between geographic regions and states.
The government should purchase water for the environment under such a scheme, the Committee says.
Water trading may be feasible in the future, but for now something must be done. The Australian government says the labeling and standards scheme will work to reduce urban water consumption across Australia as populations increase and climate change results in more frequent extreme dry weather conditions.
"In this the Year of the Built Environment," said Campbell, "everyone has a role to play in helping reduce water use and create sustainable cities."
++++ Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2004. All Rights Reserved.
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