Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water, will table the third independent review of the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme and Intergovernmental Agreement this week.
The findings confirm that the WELS blue-star rating scheme remains highly effective in reducing the demand for water across Australia. It has saved water and saved consumers money on their bills.
So far this year, householders and businesses have saved nearly $1.5 billion through lower utility bills and one hundred fifty-eight gigalitres of water.
By using more water-efficient products and appliances, Australian households could save an average of $175 each year with reduced heating and water bills by 2030.
By using less energy, the scheme is also reducing carbon emissions. 21.8 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents have been avoided since the scheme started in 2005.
Launch of the water efficiency standards
The WELS water efficiency standards scheme was launched in 2005, at the height of the Millennium Drought. It aimed to assist Australians in selecting water-efficient products.
Even though we are now facing a third La Nina, we know that sometime in the future, water will again be scarce in Australia.
The WELS Regulator will respond to the review shortly, but the Government is strengthening the scheme to save more water.
The Government is ensuring non-compliant products are removed from sale in Australia. Online marketplaces such as eBay, Amazon and Wish are working with the Australian Government to ensure that their suppliers only sell WELS-compliant products.
Over the last 12 months, over 2,700 products have been removed from online marketplaces. 40 non-compliant sellers have been restricted.
AliExpress has gone a step further this month by making it a mandatory part of the seller’s onboarding process to ensure that consumers can only shop for taps and showerheads that meet the WELS Australian Standard.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP:
“Over 17 years, the WELS blue star label has helped consumers choose water-efficient products while driving innovation.
“This year, the scheme will save 158 gigalitres of water, equal to 63,200 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This will help to reduce the unsustainable demands and pressures on our clean freshwater resources.
“The scheme has also saved Australian households and businesses $1.47 billion in water and energy bills this year alone.
“Not only does the scheme help improve water security and lower utility bills, but it also significantly reduces household emissions.
“This year, the WELS scheme will save each Australian 12.4 litres of water per day on average.
“The review made several recommendations to strengthen and broaden the impact of the WELS scheme. The Government is working to put these recommendations into action.”
Water and Financial Savings Breakdown
- NSW and ACT: This year, an estimated water saving of 49.4 GL, saving householders and businesses $479 million.
- QLD: This year, an estimated water saving of 33.1 GL, saving householders and businesses $339 million.
- SA: This year, an estimated water saving of 11.2 GL, saving householders and businesses $133 million.
- VIC: This year, an estimated water saving of 40.9 GL, saving householders and businesses $317 million.
- TAS: This year, an estimated water saving of 3.2 GL, saving householders and businesses $26 million.
- NT: This year, an estimated water saving of 1.6 GL, saving householders and businesses $8 million.
- WA: This year, an estimated water saving of 18.4 GL, saving householders and businesses $165 million.
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