It’s World Toilet Day (November 19) and WA’s plumbing regulator is sharing key advice to ensure lavatories are safe and efficient.

Building and Energy Executive Director Saj Abdoolakhan urged home owners not to attempt to install or repair a toilet themselves.

“By law, plumbing work related to sanitation, water supply or drainage must only be carried out by a licensed plumber,” he said.

“Many toilet components are classed as high-hazard plumbing equipment due to the risk of wastewater mixing with drinking water if they are not installed according to specific Australian standards, including backflow prevention devices to prevent cross-contamination.”

Consumers are also reminded not to flush paper towels or wipes down the toilet. Only the “3Ps” should be flushed: pee, poo and (toilet) paper.

“Moderate amounts of toilet paper are designed to be flushed, but wipes and heavier types of paper can cause expensive and inconvenient blockages at the home or gridlock of the wider wastewater system,” Mr Abdoolakhan said.

“Due to effective water-saving measures built into modern plumbing systems, it’s more important than ever that we are careful about what goes down the toilet and that plumbers follow the latest plumbing standards.”

Toilets and most other plumbing products installed in Australia are required to be certified through the national WaterMark scheme to show they are fit for purpose and authorised for use after passing specific safety and quality checks.

“Although a licensed plumber will carry out the installation, sometimes home owners will source the plumbing components themselves,” Mr Abdoolakhan said.

“Certified products are listed online at watermark.abcb.gov.au or the item may be stamped with a WaterMark certification trademark, which is a W with an upwards arrow, and a licence number.”

According to the Water Corporation, toilets contribute to about 20 per cent of indoor water use. A toilet with a constant water trickle can waste thousands of litres each year, while upgrading from a single-flush to a dual-flush system can save up to 80 litres of water per day.

<ENDS>

 

 

Media contact: BEmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au