Water Saving Caroma Toilet Video from GWA Bathrooms & Kitchens

Queensland Lifts Ban on Caroma Water Saving Toilet

The Queensland Department of Infra Structure and Planning have finally lifted a statewide ban on the popular Caroma Profile 5 Toilet Suite, which features an Integrated Hand Basin.

The Caroma Profile 5 provides a simple, effective way to re-use water in the bathroom, by recycling water, firstly for hand washing and then for filling the cistern and toilet flushing.

The unique product was banned by the Department of Infrastructure and Planning in May 2009, two years after its initial launch, over an interpretation of the Plumbing and Drainage Act relating to the use of the product.

Caroma State Manager for Queensland, Mr Steve McDonald, says that the state enacted the legislation banning the suites in 2009 because the State's plumbing code did not permit the product's usage of grey water, stating that it must be treated before it can be used for the purpose of flushing.

He said, "It is a rather unusual technicality, as the despite the ban in Queensland, the product was allowed around the rest of Australia and the rest of the world. We are extremely pleased that the ban has now been lifted and the legislature has reversed its decision, following the results from extensive testing that were provided to Queensland Health.

"Both homeowners and the plumbing industry will be pleased to know the product is available on the market again and is allowed for use in residential applications," added Mr McDonald.

The water saving device comprises of a hand basin that sits on top of a cistern. When the toilet is flushed, the water supply for the cistern is diverted to the spout of the hand basin for hand washing, which in turn directs and discharges used water into the cistern for future toilet flushing.

Installation of the device is permitted in classes 1a, 2 and 4 buildings. However, grey water (whether treated or not) is not considered safe for hand washing while rainwater is. Therefore, combination hand basins must be supplied by reticulated potable water or rainwater.

The Caroma Profile 5 with Integrated Hand Basin underwent a series of independent tests at the University of New South Wales for a nine month period that validated the technology was fit for purpose. The testing supports the product's water saving capabilities, and confirms that water used for hand washing in the cistern constitutes no increased health risk to the user compared to regular toilet suite and separate basin.

The innovative all-in-one toilet, hand basin and tapware system was designed by Caroma to lower total bathroom water usage, and originally launched in Australia in 2007 following a successful trial and collaboration with Brisbane City Council at the height of the Queensland drought.

The product is the first toilet suite in Australia to achieve a 5-star WELs rating for water efficiency.

For further information on the Caroma Profile 5 Toilet Suite with Integrated Hand Basin, please visit www.caroma.com.au or call 13 14 16.