Impact of 6/3 litre dual-flushing toilets

18/3/93

The move to 6/3 litre dual-flushing toilets in Western Australia is set to have a major impact on the State's water conservation effort.

Water Resources Minister Paul Omodei said the 6/3 litre dual-flushing systems became mandatory for all new and replacement cisterns and pans from January 1 this year.

"While it will be at least 30 years before we see the majority of properties converted to the new standard, the savings at that point will be phenomenal," Mr Omodei said.

"Current indications are that our population will have virtually doubled, yet the quantity of water used to flush toilets will be cut by as much as 20 per cent on today's levels."

Mr Omodei was speaking at the formal launch today of the new slim-line 6/3 litre toilets, featuring substantially smaller tanks, which have been developed by Caroma Industries.

He said Caroma had invested millions of dollars in research and trials over many years before finalising the new design.  This included replacing all 110 toilets in the South-West town of Newdegate and half of the 332 toilets in nearby Jerramungup with converted 6/3 litre flush toilets.

The year-long trials showed significant benefits, with total water consumption in the towns down by as much as 10 per cent.

"When you consider the water supply deficiencies in some country towns, that sort of saving would be invaluable," the Minister said.

The 6/3 litre dual flush system uses about 67 per cent less water than the old single-flush 11-litre toilets still operating in many households.

The single-flush design was overtaken in the early 1980s by 11/5.5 litre dual-flush cisterns, followed by the 9/4.5 litre, which became mandatory for all new or replacement units in 1990.

Media contact: Amanda O'Brien (09) 222 9595