The emerging New Zealand Standard to be aware of is a joint Australian/NZ Government initiative and is nick-named " WELs" or Water Efficiency Labelling standard (AS/NZS 6400). The Standard began with the droughts and overall shortages of potable water in Australia, but is increasingly necessary in NZ. It has been mandatory in Australia for taps and shower outlets, (check www.waterrating.com.au site for all affected appliances), since July 1 2006 but it is yet to be mandatory in New Zealand.

Quite complicated from here but, taps + showers are tested to a variety of pressures, from 150-500kpa. The output is measured and a WELs Star rating is given. The benchmark output to meet the WELs standard is 3 Stars where output must not exceed 7.5-9l/min at 250kpa, This necessitates the need for all kinds of restrictors. Once the product is tested then it must be registered. Once the product is registered, suppliers and retailers are required affix a label such as this……

Typically homes built within the last 17 years will have a Mains Pressure System. Showers using a Mains Pressure System will deliver up to about 24 litres per minute of tepid water at 300kpa pressure (many homes’ sytems run around 500kpa). That’s about 10 litres per minute usage of hot water or a 180 litre hot water cylinder drained in two 10 minute showers!

Foreno offers a large selection of taps which are rated 3 – 6 Star WELs ratings so you can rest easy knowing you are choosing
a brand that does their bit for water conservation.

Foreno also offers you their water saver kit (FORPT34) which includes a selection of output reduction discs that can be fitted into any existing shower. It costs under $10 and can save you up to 67% of hot water usage within the shower. This should be first on your list.