Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme
Water shortages and the longer-term security of water supply are serious concerns for Australia. The WELS Scheme labels a range of products for water efficiency, helping Australian households to save water and money.
This site contains information about WELS for:
- Australians wanting to buy water efficient products
- manufacturers and importers
- retailers and wholesalers
- plumbers and builders
- architects and specifiers
- local government
Why WELS?
Choosing more efficient products helps Australia save water.
When WELS began in 2005, projections were made on the reduction in the demand for water and energy to the year 2021. Since then, a more recent study has been completed (in 2008) which shows even greater savings than the 2005 projections. By 2021, Australians could save more than one billion dollars through reduced water and energy bills by simply choosing more efficient products.
By 2021 it is estimated that using water efficient products will help to:
- reduce domestic water use by more than 100,000 megalitres each year;
- save more than 800,000 megalitres (more water than Sydney Harbour); and
- reduce total greenhouse gas output by 400,000 tonnes each year - equivalent to taking 90,000 cars off the road each year.
Over one third of the water savings will come from more efficient showers, about 34 per cent from washing machines and 23 per cent from toilets and urinals.
By choosing to use more water-efficient products in the home, Australians will save water and reduce their water and energy bills.
Did you know?
- A water-efficient washing machine may use only one-third the water of an inefficient model.
- An old-style single-flush toilet could use up to 12 litres of water per flush, while a standard dual flush toilet uses just a quarter of this on a half-flush.
- A standard showerhead may use up to 25 litres of water per minute whereas water-efficient showerhead might use as little as seven litres per minute, which is less than a third.
What's new
Read the latest edition of InkWELS with important information about proposed changes to the WELS scheme.
See the presentation given at the WELS stakeholder forums held mid February 2012.
Read the WELS scheme consultation paper 24 January 2012 outlining proposed changes to the scheme.
Companies breach water efficiency and labelling laws
Seven companies from New South Wales and Western Australia have agreed to improve their business practices and provide awareness training to staff after failing to comply with national water efficiency labelling and standards legislation at their business premises - media release 12 December 2011
Read the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme strategic plan 2012 to 2015
Important changes to WELS scheme registration requirements effective from 1 November 2011
The department has established a WELS stakeholder advisory group who will advise the Australian, State and Territory governments on a range of WELS matters including the development of the scheme’s three year strategic plan. Read more on the WELS Advisory Group page
If you are a WELS registrant do you know when your registrations will expire? Get informed about how to re-register