Executive Director of Building and Energy, Saj Abdoolakhan has urged home owners not to attempt to install or repair a toilet themselves.
Speaking on World Toilet Day earlier this month, Mr Abdoolakhan said that by law, plumbing work related to sanitation, water supply or drainage must be carried by a licensed plumber.
“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,” Mr Abdoolakhan said.
“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.”
He said moderate amounts of toilet paper were designed to be flushed, but wipes and heavier types of paper could cause expensive and inconvenient blockages at the home or gridlock in the wider wastewater system.
“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,” Mr Abdoolakhan said.
“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.”
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.
