To encourage the use of appliances that are water conservative, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) plans to launch the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) early next year.

The program is part of the water management strategy compiled by the WSD and Development Bureau in 2005 in response to the SAR government's pledge to implement such program in the 2003 policy address.

The voluntary WELS is akin to the Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme introduced by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.

"We aim to make it easier for the public to choose water conservative appliances by giving efficiency ratings to the appliances," director of Water Supplies Ma Lee-tak told the media after a Legislative Council Development Panel meeting yesterday.

Shower will be the first appliance to be covered in the WELS, he revealed.

"It is chosen because there are many shower suppliers around the globe which can ensure sufficient supply and healthy market competition after the introduction of the scheme which may push up the prices," he added.

The WSD will consult the industry and set test standards and specifications by the end of the year and formally implement the scheme in early 2009. The public can then search for information in a database on the WSD website.

The department will then assess the take-up rate before extending the scheme to cover other appliances.

Meanwhile, the government will take the lead in using appliances that are rated water-efficient in government buildings and projects.

It is estimated that Hong Kong can save 100 million cubic meters of drinking water annually if the WELS is supported and water-efficient products can take up to 40 percent of market share by 2030.

Ma added that the WELS will be run on a voluntary basis for at least five years to gain support and approval from the public.

Green Sense welcomes the government move.

"It is a good program for it allows the public to make informed choices when purchasing water-using appliances," said Ho Ka-po, project manager of the green group.

The water-saving awareness in Hong Kong is relatively low compared to other developed countries. Some people may find it too troublesome to carry out conservation practices, Ho said.

"The scheme may make water conservation more convenient when the appliances are rated," she said, adding she hopes the government will give fair treatment to all brands while implementing the scheme.

(HK Edition 10/29/2008 page1)