As Auckland grapples with climate change, ageing water infrastructure, and a booming population, its inhabitants have started to contend with more frequent water restrictions. According to the Auckland Council, a rethinking of current water usage strategies is going to be crucial for protecting the environment and ensuring long-term water access for the Auckland Metropolitan Area.
As access to freshwater becomes more scarce, water utility bills are bound to increase, putting pressure on household budgets and increasing property maintenance costs. For homeowners and property investors, the current water crisis underlines the importance of water conservation, not just as part of every human’s ecological responsibility but also as a practical financial decision.
Proactively adopting water-saving solutions in bathroom designs can help property owners mitigate these rising expenses, even as they support Auckland’s broader sustainability goals. Below are some suggestions that will make a positive impact on your water savings. If you have upcoming bathroom renovations in Auckland, call TJ’s Kitchens and Bathrooms to have your water-saving fixtures and systems professionally installed.
Unlike their predecessors from decades ago, modern low-flow taps, showerheads, and toilets can use significantly less water without sacrificing performance. These fixtures can reduce your home’s baseline water consumption by up to 60%, making them a smart investment for sustainability and cost savings. The New Zealand Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) puts ratings on these products, so be sure to look out for these when sourcing them.
Dual-Flush Toilets. Dual-flush toilets allow users to choose between a half flush for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste. This one switch alone can save thousands of litres of water each year. Fortunately, if you have an existing toilet that you would like to keep, there may be commercially available dual-flush kits that could be installed to save on upgrade costs.
Aerated Taps. These taps have aerators that mix air into the water to enable higher pressure with less water. This feature can significantly minimise water waste without negatively impacting the overall feel when you’re washing your hands or showering.
Water-Efficient Showerheads. Modern water-efficient showerheads use clever engineering to limit water usage without compromising comfort. Models designed with advanced spray technology can reduce water consumption while still providing that luxurious shower experience. Limiting shower times can also complement this feature for even greater savings.
Given enough time, even the smallest leak can waste water and put your property at risk. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to spot small leaks unless you know exactly where to look. Thankfully, smart leak detectors are now widely available to help you zero in on these problem spots. These work in different ways, but they usually detect elevated levels of moisture in spots that should be dry. These devices can also be connected to mobile apps for real-time monitoring and alerts, making these a must-have for people who maintain multiple commercial properties.
These systems collect ‘greywater’ from showers, sinks, and washing machines for reuse in applications like toilet flushing and garden irrigation. These systems are great for significantly cutting down fresh water usage, especially in water-poor areas. These systems often require extensive work to install, so you’ll need professional installation by TJ’s team to ensure your greywater recovery setup complies with New Zealand’s water safety regulations.
While most people probably won’t want these in their homes, motion-activated taps can be a major boon for commercial property owners. These help keep taps from being left open by accident, a scenario that is extremely common in shared commercial spaces.
Adding a rainwater harvesting system to your home or commercial building allows you to use collected rainwater for toilet flushing or watering plants, reducing your reliance on Auckland’s increasingly beleaguered municipal water supply. Rainwater tanks come in various sizes, can be tailored to fit different property types and can be integrated with greywater systems for even more water savings.
Traditional bathroom fixtures are often made with materials that consume copious amounts of water in their manufacture. While some manufacturers do use water-saving technologies, in general, you’re probably better off focusing on quality to ensure that you won’t have to buy premature replacements and incur additional water costs later on. Sourcing locally should further reduce the water footprint associated with transporting your materials and fixtures.
Whether you have a new bathroom or one that’s several decades old, incorporating water-saving features is a smart move that supports Auckland’s besieged water systems and leaves you with quite a bit more cash in your bank account. Still, many of these suggestions aren’t suitable for inexperienced DIYers. Anything more complex than a showerhead or tap replacement should probably be done by qualified professionals.
Once you’re ready to create a bathroom that’s sustainable, stylish, and economical, contact TJ’s Kitchens and Bathrooms. Since 1996, TJ’s has been renovating bathrooms for property investors, real estate agents, and homeowners in Auckland. Contact us today to start your eco-friendly bathroom transformation.
