Robert Bolus with a Methven shower rose that can work at low pressures. Photo / Greg Bowker
A proposal to limit the water pressure in showers does not scrub up well with homeowners or the bathroom industry.
The Department of Building and Housing is consulting on potential changes to the allowable flow rates for showers in new homes exceeding 150sq m to six litres a
minute.
But the idea has irked many, with dozens airing their views of the Herald's website.
A person known only as "Moderator" said it was part of a "Labour/ Greens programme to reduce the unemployment figure by employing thousands of shower inspectors and monitors".
"This will be followed up in 2010 with a new law that will only allow the use of four sections of toilet paper per sitting."
Rodney District Council chief executive Rodger Kerr-Newell accused previous councillors of "rank stupidity" after they voted to limit showers in the district to nine litres a minute.
But he thought the Government's plans were worse.
"What is proposed here is frankly ridiculous ... One minute they are in our bedroom, next they want to be in our bathroom."
National Party MP Nick Smith said the proposal was an "extension of Labour's nanny-state".
But Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones said Dr Smith was politicising an energy-efficiency issue that he actually agreed with.
He said the compliance was not compulsory but provided incentives for new homes or those undergoing serious renovations.
Rob Bolus, group head of engineering at bathroom specialists Methven, doubted six litres a minute of water pressure was adequate. The pressure was probably akin to walking in a heavy downpour but would not do a good job of washing conditioner out of someone's hair.
"The majority of showers at six litres a minute won't be efficient."
Mr Bolus said the proposed flow restriction was below standards overseas and he found it strange New Zealand was about to adopt a water efficiency labelling standard from Australia that doesn't rate showers below 7.5 litres a minute.
"Companies are working on ways ... to lower flows to be environmentally conscious - the technology is almost there, but not quite.
"You can get products at 7.5 to 9 litres a minute which still provide a good shower as in good being efficient, effective and providing an experience like you're getting wet."
Environmental Energy Conservation Authority spokesman Robert Tromop agreed the ideal water flow in a shower was nine litres a minute.
He said households that changed their flow rate from 15 litres a minute to nine litres would save about 10 per cent on their annual power bill even if they spent 25 per cent longer scrubbing up.
New Zealand First conservation spokesman Doug Woolerton admitted to taking 15-minute showers, sometimes twice a day.
"Good eh," he reckoned.
He said his party would not support the idea if it was regulated.
"But we do support energy saving measures and if it's just as good a shower out of six litres I don't have a problem with it."
The Questions
We asked party representatives the following questions:
1. Do you support the idea ?
2. Do you take a shower or bath? How long?
3. Do you know your shower's water pressure? VIEWS OF THE PARTIES
Shane Jones, Labour
Building and Construction Minister:
1. Yes. The regulation is designed as a part of energy efficiency and really it's all about lowering domestic energy bills.
2. I'm in and out in 5 minutes. My whare at Hihi has a low-pressure water tank.
3. Our whare in Hihi runs on a tank that's about 15 years old.
I'd say it uses about six litres.
Nick Smith
National Party conservation spokesman:
1.No, it's bullshit - this is an extension of Labour's nanny state.
What's next? Baths?
2. I haven't timed it but it's about five minutes.
I have a solar-heating system to offset any longer showers I take.
3. 18 litres a minute.
Jeanette Fitzsimons
Green Party co-leader:
1. There are no shower regulations.
There is a new efficiency standard for water heating and a number of ways it can be met.
2. A shower most of the time, a bath at the end of the day in winter if I'm stiff and cold from working outside. Probably around 4-5 minutes.
3. Yes, 6 litres/minute. It's a good, strong shower.
Doug Woolerton
NZ First conservation spokesman:
1. The answer is no. We don't support it if it is a regulation but we do support energy-saving measures and if it's just as good a shower out of six litres I don't have a problem with it.
2. I take a shower every day sometimes twice a day.
I have very long showers, about 20 minutes, good eh?
3. I have no idea.
Angeline Greensill
Maori Party candidate for Hauraki-Waikato, environmental spokeswoman:
1.This seems like top-down control gone mad. The question is, is this just another way of making our families bear the brunt of the Government's initiatives - like the Emissions Trading Scheme? Will the tourism industry be expected to comply?
2. I'm pretty slick - between 3-5 minutes - but my 17-year-old daughter takes forever!
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