Suppliers of Water Efficient
Products and Services
Want to take a step towards saving precious water and
energy? Don't know where to start?
You can start with the following suggestions...
The products and companies featured on these pages are
not endorsed by the council but are a suggested starting
point for you to do your own research to find a product that
fits your individual household requirements. Please contact
the suppliers directly for detailed information. Companies
and their details featured here are subject to change
without notice.
Inside the Home
 In the Bathroom
3-star water-efficient showerheads
Want the biggest 'bang for your buck' in terms of low
initial cost but good savings on your water use? Start by
installing a new water-efficient showerhead. Some of the new
water-efficient showerheads on the market today can save up
to 50% on water and energy usage and the shower experience
can be just as luxurious.
In the Toilet
 4-star water-efficient dualflush toilets
It's been more than 20 years since the first dual-flush
toilet came on the market and technology has moved on yet
again to help us all use a lot less water when we flush.
If you still have a really old single flush toilet it's time
to consider replacing it with a dual flush to save money on
your future water bills. You could save at least half the
water you currently use. In fact, you could save up to
35,000 litres of water per year.
Even older dual-flush toilets can't match the water-saving
performance of the new technologies available to you now.
Investigate upgrading your old wasteful system today.
In the Laundry
Water-efficient front-loaders and top-loaders
Washing machines use a lot of water in their operation but
now there are machines that can operate effectively with
significantly less water.
Some frontload washers use up to
60 per cent less water than conventional top-load machines.
There are also top-loaders available on the market that are
also high in water savings. Look for the WELS sticker on the
front. The more water-efficiency stars the better for you
and the planet.
In the Kitchen
Water-efficient dishwashers
Dishwashers use little water compared with other water-use
appliances.
However, it is always worth considering the most
water-efficient models available when making your next
purchase. Some use as little as 11 litres per cycle.
Solar Water Heating
Take more control over your household energy and water
needs with solar water heating.
Solar water heating will help to reduce the effects of
future electricity and water prices on your household
budget. It will also relieve demands on the power system and
give you some insulation against power cuts.
Much of our electricity supply is generated from
fossil-fuelled power stations which pump hundreds of
thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gases into the air. This
accelerates climate change. When you choose a clean and
renewable energy source like solar, you're not only taking
over some of the production and management of your own
energy supply, you're helping to reduce climate change
Waitakere City Council has adopted the Waitakere City Action
Plan on Climate Change and Energy with the aim of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent by 2021. Through
community consultation, you have also told us you want
incentives for solar water heating and to increase the use
of renewable energy. One way to achieve this is to encourage
greater use of renewable energy sources, such as the sun,
for hot water heating.
Benefits to You
Solar water heating:
- is non-polluting and the sun's energy is free and
plentiful
- can provide between 50 and 75 per cent of your
annual hot water needs
- is effective even on cloudy days
- helps reduce New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions
- can increase the re-sale value of your home.
If your current hot water cylinder is old and possibly
leaking around the base, now would be a good time to
investigate solar options before you replace it.
The council provides a handy information brochure
on solar water heating which gives an overview on
how such systems work and what suits New Zealand conditions.
Contact us to request one to be sent to you or
check our website and type in "ecowater brochures" to
download one.
The council offers residents a free two-hour
personalised consultation with our Eco Design
Advisor, Fred Braxton. He can provide impartial advice on
solar water heating and other sustainable building
activities, water, energy and materials for conservation,
which can improve the health of household members, reduce
your impact on the environment and increase the resale value
of your home. This service is designed for people who are
building or renovating.
The council will waive the building consent fee
for your new solar water heating system. We'll also provide
you with a checklist of required information to help speed
your building consent process.
Contact us if you need further information.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)'s
solar grant/ loan has now been raised to $1000.
 Here are some guidelines on how to be eligible:
-
Choose an eligible package from one of the
featured suppliers and ask for a quote for the entire
cost of the system
- Check on EECA's solar water heating website that
your quote is below the cap for EECA assistance via
grant or loan
- Obtain a building consent with the help of
your installer
- Have your system installed and signed off for
the building consent
- Complete the grant claim form with your
installer,attach a copy of your invoice and send it to
EECA.
For more details on how to apply for a cash grant or loan
assistance visit EECA's solar water heating website
www.solar.energywise.govt.nz
Only systems supplied and installed by EECA participating
companies are eligible for government financial assistance.
Such systems have been tested to New Zealand standards and
performance modelled.
Want to see a system already set up?
Visit the Sustainable Living Centre in Olympic Place, New
Lynn. It has displays and information on solar water
heating, energy efficiency, rainwater collection, organic
gardening and green building and renovation.
Outside the home
Raintanks and Rain-harvesting
Did you know that you drink only 5per cent of your highly
refined drinking water, yet you are paying for the other 95
per cent to be treated to the highest drinking standards,
just to flush the toilet, take a shower or do your laundry?
Waitakere City Council is making it easier for you to
collect your own water to use at home for drinking and
non-drinking purposes, thereby reducing your water bill and
also the demands placed on our mains water supply and also
on wastewater and stormwater systems.
As in other countries, it is now important for those of us
living in urban areas to consider installing a raintank and
these come in a wide array of designs, sizes, colours and
positioning. Tank water can be used for watering the garden,
cleaning the house, car and dog, or you may feel that using
water free from your roof would be great to use in the
toilet and laundry.
Some of you may even want the option of
keeping your tank water at a drinkable standard to use
instead of city supply. This can really slash your water
bills and help to minimise difficulties with possible water
shortages, increased charges and regulations in the future.
We can help you now... Want to drink quality rainwater?
Contact us for advice and a brochure on what you need
to do.
Below you will find suppliers of tanks, filters, pumps and
other rain-harvesting products. Some tanks fit under houses
and decks, some are skinny for tight spaces, some blend with
your architecture. It's your choice!
Council Raintank Rebates
Want to feel really good about purchasing a
raintank?
Waitakere City Council's EcoWater
division will waive the building consent fee required to
plumb your tank into your house system AND we'll also give
you a cash rebate on the purchase of your tank (conditions
apply).
Rebates are as follows: You'll need to be in quick!
| Tank Size |
Rebate Size |
Max. number of rebates/year |
| 4500 litres and
larger |
$500 |
50 |
| 3000 litres and
larger |
$300 |
30 |
| 2000 litres and
larger |
$200 |
20 |
Contact us for information and application forms.
|
