bidet seats Archives - Whywait Plumbing Services

Legal or Not? Installing The evekare Water Powered Bidet Toilet Seat

by Gary Mays | Aug 12, 2024 | bidet seats

Can You Legally Install an evekare Water Powered Bidet Toilet Seat?

Yes, you can legally install the evekare Water Powered Bidet Toilet Seat sold in Australia by Bunnings in your home.

No, you cannot install it yourself, hire a family member, or hire a handyman to do it.

To comply with the applicable laws in Queensland, a bidet toilet seat must be installed by a licenced plumber such as Whywait Plumbing. A QBCC Form 4 compliance certificate must be issued to be a compliant legal installation as it is notifiable work under part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019.

Understanding Bidet Toilet Seats

In general terms, a bidet toilet seat is a sanitary appliance designed to enhance personal hygiene by using water dispensed through a douche spray. Typically installed onto toilet pans in various settings, these seats offer comfort and convenience that traditional toilet seats cannot match.

Why Backflow Prevention is Essential

The rising popularity of bidet toilet seats or toilet douche seats has highlighted the need for stringent backflow prevention measures to avoid contamination of the drinking water supply.

All plumbing and drainage work in Queensland must comply with the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 (PDA) and the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA), which mandates suitable certification under the WaterMark Certification Scheme for all plumbing products.

Key Compliance Requirements

Water Connection: According to the PCA, Part B1P1, all fixtures intended for personal hygiene, including bidet toilet seats, must be connected to a drinking water supply. This ensures that the water used for hygiene purposes is safe and uncontaminated.
Backflow Requirements: The PCA specifies that high-hazard backflow prevention is necessary if the bidet seat outlet is not 25mm above the toilet pan’s overflow level. This prevention can be achieved only through the two methods below.
Integral Backflow Protection: Some bidet seats have built-in high-hazard protection, such as an Air-Gap (AG) or Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB), compliant with AS 2845.2 and AS/NZS 2845.1, respectively. These integral devices eliminate the need for additional backflow protection.
External Backflow Protection: If the bidet seat lacks integral protection, a high-hazard backflow protection device, like a Reduced Pressure Zone Device (RPZD), must be installed on the water supply inlet.

Registration and Reporting

Under the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019, local councils must register and monitor the maintenance of all testable backflow prevention devices.

However, bidet seats with integral AG or AVB do not require registration or annual testing, as per AS/NZS 3500.1. This means the evekare bidet seat does not require annual backflow testing or being registered with your council.

WaterMark Certification

All bidet toilet seats or toilet douche seats must be certified under the WaterMark Technical Specification-051 (WMTS-051:2021). Certification details, including integral backflow devices, must be listed in the product description.

Installing the evekare Water Powered Bidet Toilet Seat

If you’re considering upgrading your bathroom with an evekare water powered bidet toilet seat, it’s essential to understand the installation process and the regulatory requirements that we have listed above.

Ensuring compliance and optimal functionality is critical to avoid having insurance protection denied should the evekare water powered bidet toilet seat fail and flood your home.

Compliance with WMTS-051:2021 and WaterMark Certification

One of the most critical aspects of installing the evekare water powered bidet toilet seat is ensuring it meets the relevant Australian standards.

We can confirm that the evekare bidet toilet seat is WaterMark certified, which meets the rigorous requirements of the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB).

Specifically, it is a “Smart Bidet Toilet Set with integral AS/NZS2845.1 Compliant High Hazard Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB) backflow prevention device as per AS/NZS3500:1:2021”. This certification ensures that the product is safe for your home and compliant with Australian plumbing standards, allowing a licensed plumber to install it legally.

Installation Considerations for the evekare Water Powered Bidet Toilet Seat

When installing the evekare Water Powered Bidet Toilet Seat on an existing toilet pan, specific modifications and adjustments are required to ensure a proper fit and function.

Removing the Bridging Piece: The bridging piece between the cistern and toilet pan must be removed for many existing installations. This step is necessary to accommodate the bidet seat and allow it to be securely attached to the toilet.
Adjusting the Cistern Tap Location: Another consideration is the location of your existing cistern tap. Typically, the Evekare bidet seat installation diagram indicates that the tap should be on the right side. This could pose a challenge if your current setup has the tap on the left side. The standard 600mm bidet seat hose might not reach, necessitating an additional flexible hose to connect the water supply.

Pressure Requirements and Safety

The evekare bidet seat is designed to operate with a maximum water pressure of 500 kPa. Exceeding this pressure can damage the bidet’s internal components or result in suboptimal performance.

In many homes, the water pressure can exceed 500 kPa, particularly in areas with high water pressure systems. A pressure-limiting valve should be installed at the cistern tap to safeguard your bidet seat and ensure it operates within its designed parameters. This valve reduces the water pressure to a safe level, preventing potential damage to the bidet seat.

Regulatory Compliance: Form 4 and QBCC Fees

As highlighted above, installing a bidet seat is classified as notifiable work under Schedule 1 of the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019.

We reiterate that for your protection, ensure that the installation is reported to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) and that a Form 4 compliance certificate is issued. This form verifies that a licensed plumber has completed the installation and meets all relevant safety and plumbing standards.

The Cost of Compliance

Your budget must include the cost of issuing a Form 4 compliance certificate and the associated QBCC fees. The potential need for a pressure-limiting valve and an extra flexible hose will also add to the overall installation cost.

An incorrectly installed bidet toilet seat that floods your home could cost you thousands of dollars, especially if insurance protection is denied due to non-compliance with the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 (PDA) and the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA). This is why it’s crucial to ensure that a licensed plumber installs the evekare Water Powered Bidet Toilet Seat and issues a Form 4 compliance certificate.

What Does it Cost to Install an evekare Water Powered Bidet Toilet Seat?

Considering all the factors discussed—such as the potential need for additional components like a pressure-limiting valve and an extra flexible hose—the total cost of installing the evekare Water Powered Bidet Toilet Seat is manageable in most homes.

Based on a typical scenario for installing an existing toilet pan, the price is estimated to be between $300.00 and $500, including GST. This includes all parts, labour, and the necessary regulatory fees, making it a cost-effective choice for your home.

Conclusion: Is the evekare Water Powered Bidet Toilet Seat Worth It?

Upgrading to a bidet toilet seat like the evekare Water Powered Toilet Seat model offers numerous benefits, including improved hygiene and comfort.

However, knowing the installation requirements and potential costs is essential. By ensuring compliance with Australian standards and considering the specific installation needs of your toilet model, you can enjoy the full benefits of this modern bathroom upgrade.

If you’re considering this installation, consulting with Whywait Plumbing first is crucial to ensure it is feasible and everything is installed correctly and in compliance with Queensland law.

With the proper preparation and professional assistance from the experts at Whywait Plumbing, the evekare Water Powered Bidet Toilet Seat can be a valuable addition to your bathroom.

evekare Water Powered Bidet Toilet Seat installed by Whywait Plumbing

Can I install a bidet seat or douche hand spray to my toilet?

by Gary Mays | Jun 11, 2022 | bidet seats

DIY Bidet Seat and Douche Hand Spray Installations Are Illegal and Non-Compliant

Since the Covid-19 pandemic and the infamous toilet paper shortages, we are getting asked about installing bidet seats or douche hand sprayers. Many of these enquiries eventuate from sponsored posts on Facebook promoting the DIY installation of bidet seats. The photo above perfectly illustrates a DIY bidet seat installation we recently encountered in a client’s home.

We commonly come across these DIY bidet installations in clients’ homes. Unfortunately, we are then placed in the invidious position of informing them that this is an illegal installation that requires disconnecting as it has no WaterMark approval and is not compliant, as required by the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018.

Unfortunately, we are only the messenger, but immediately, too many people believe we are wrong. This occurs as the online company they purchased the bidet seat from told them they could install it themselves.

Illegal DIY Installations Can Effect Your Home Insurance Cover

Imagine how we feel when explaining to a disgruntled client that their DIY bidet installation is not legally compliant. Then explain that if it fails and floods their home causing tens of thousands of dollars of damage, their insurance company will null and void insurance protection.

Despite what Facebook posts say, very few legal DIY plumbing installations exist. Your insurance policy requires a licenced plumber to undertake all plumbing work with all plumbing fixtures installed with the necessary WaterMark approval.

Avoid Online Retailers, and Only a Licensed Plumber Can Install a Bidet Seat or Douche Hand Spray

Bidets, bidet seats and douche hand spray bidets are popular with the elderly and people with disabilities. Correctly installed, they afford their users self-care toileting which aids their independence, plus they are much more hygienic than toilet paper.

If you are looking into bidet seats or a douche hand spray, only purchase them from reputable Australian suppliers. Avoid online retailers with no prominent Australian location and not displaying a WaterMark approval.

No matter what, you must use a licensed plumber to install the bidet seat or douche hand spray to ensure there is no risk of backflow. A backflow situation can risk your family and neighbours consuming sewerage-contaminated drinking water.

A legally compliant installation by a licensed plumber required lodgement of Form 9 with the local council and lodgement and payment of fees for Form 4 with the Queensland Government QBCC. You should always get a copy of both forms to prove to your insurer that it is a compliant installation.

Legally Installed Bidet Seat or Douche Hand Spray Offer Benefits in Terms of Hygiene and Independence for the Elderly and People With Disabilities

Remember, if you install a bidet seat or a douche hand spray, you need to do the following:

Purchase a WaterMark-approved product
Only use a licensed plumber to install your bidet products
All installations require high-hazard backflow prevention

Compliance with these requirements will ensure the safety and well-being of your family, protect your home from potential risks, and maintain insurance coverage.

A bidet seat should not be confused with a bidet. A proper bidet must go through an entire approval process by council plumbing inspectors.

Like everything in life, you only get what you pay for, so we recommend you stay away from online retailers, especially on Facebook.

The adage applies when finding cheap DIY bidet seats or douche hand spray hoses. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Detecting COVID-19 in Your Wastewater Drain

by Gary Mays | Oct 10, 2021 | Aquatemp hand sanitiser & disinfectant, bidet, bidet seats, Blocked drain, blocked toilet, City of Gold Coast, Climate Change, Consumer Issues, COVID-19, Health Issues, Plumbing Legislation, QBCC, Queensland Government

Your wastewater is one of the key sources used to identify the presence of the COVID-19 virus in your local community because plumbing is public health

COVID-19 has been a wake-up call for every level of government in Australia. The pandemic has reiterated that plumbing is all about public health. With vaccination rates being hailed as our pathway back to the new normality, we need politicians and bureaucrats to embrace that plumbing protects the entire community and individually plumbers preserve the nation’s health.

A pivotal component in managing COVID-19 is establishing where transmission of the virus occurs. Since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020, the identification of exposure sites by health authorities and the requirement for people who were at the same areas during the same time to monitor for symptoms or get tested themselves have been a ceaseless part of the public health response.

Wastewater testing has been crucial for health departments to identify where COVID-19 may be present in the community to help to stop the spread.

Wastewater or the used water from toilets, sinks, showers, baths, basins and dishwashers are analysed and tested for fragments of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Fragments of the virus potentially enter the wastewater system through people who have or have recently had COVID-19. People shed the virus fragments through toilet paper, used tissues, off their hands and skin or in faeces. This shedding can continue for weeks after a person is infectious.

“The COVID-19 virus, SARS-Cov-2, can enter wastewater infrastructure through any of those means. However, it is likely to enter wastewater principally from faecal and respiratory shedding. Shed virus is then detected by analysing the wastewater using analytical methods that are specific for SARS-CoV-2,” says Dr Nick Crosbie, Recycled Water and IWM Research Manager at Melbourne Water.

“Wastewater monitoring is equivalent to obtaining and analysing a large community-based composite sample of faeces, saliva, vomit, sputum, urine, shed skin and other material shed during personal cleansing, washing, bathing, and excreting.”

Throughout Australia, wastewater samples are taken from wastewater treatment plants, regional wastewater treatment plants and multiple locations throughout any metropolitan sewerage system.

Dr Crosbie describes surveillance as dynamic, adjusting it to meet changing needs such as surge testing during outbreaks.

“Samples are obtained by ‘grab sampling’, auto-sampling, and by the deployment of so-called ‘passive samplers’ which accumulate the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the period of their deployment. Between a few 100 to more than 1,000 samples are collected and processed in a seven-day period. The samples are analysed of the passive samplers with presumptive detections confirmed by third-party analysis.”

Wastewater testing has come to public prominence during the pandemic, although it has been regularly undertaken worldwide to monitor poliovirus, norovirus and adenovirus for close to twenty years.

Dr Crosbie says the public identification of locations in which viral fragments are identified in wastewater – announced by the Department of Health regularly, including sending text messages to people in affected postcodes – allows health authorities to target their responses.

“Information can be used by health departments to focus their investigations further and to encourage an increase in local clinical testing rates,” he says.

The role of plumbers in effective wastewater testing is critical. The provision of safe and effective plumbing and sanitation illustrates how plumbers contribute to strengthening public health. Master Plumbers CEO Peter Daly is unequivocal in stating that “Plumbers play a vital role in developing, maintaining and promoting public health among the community. Plumbers prevent against disease and illness stemming from poor plumbing and sanitation and against the dangers of unsafe gas appliances, some of which can be deadly. Our day to day work in plumbing and sanitation also supports the overall wastewater testing process to play a big role in the COVID-19 response.”

Dr Crosbie agrees, “the COVID-19 wastewater surveillance program is a huge team effort between people working in the plumbing industry, water industry, and the laboratory and health sectors,” he says.

Dr Crosbie understands that plumbing is public health, “More generally, the safe operation of our water and wastewater infrastructure ensures that the community do not suffer from significant health effects from water and wastewater-borne diseases.”

The World Health Organisation and leading doctors state that the world’s most significant medical milestone since 1840 was sanitation. Despite the tremendous medical breakthroughs and scientific advances, the seemingly mundane advance of reliable sewage and reliable, clean water supply is the most significant medical advance over the last 200 years.

Here’s why you should always close the toilet seat lid before you flush

by Gary Mays | Feb 7, 2021 | Bathrooms, bidet seats, blocked toilet, Consumer Issues, Gold Coast plumbers, Health Issues, toilet seat lid

Why is the operative word in toilet seat arguments

As we’ve all become aware in the last year hygiene is the foundation of health.

Toilet hygiene has become a focus in the home and at work. The simple toilet seat has been focused on as never before.

Arguments over the toilet seat revolve around:

why can’t I leave the toilet seat up
why should I put the toilet seat down
why do I need to close the toilet seat
why do toilet seats have a lid

The answer to all these “whys” is because of basic personal hygiene and overall community hygiene.

Harpic photos reveal the danger of not closing the toilet seat lid before flushing

Over the years, I’ve been asked countless times why do toilet seats have lids. Generally, my answers have centred around because it’s called into law in the Plumbing and Drainage Act, which satisfied most people.

However, now I can finally answer all the questions about toilet lids.

I can better answer that perennial question of why you should always close the toilet seat lid before flushing.

The answer is simple. The lid is there for good hygiene to protect your health and community health.

I can answer these questions thanks to Harpic the #1 selling toilet cleaner in Australia and forty other countries worldwide.

Harpic commissioned a study to illustrate the dangers we all face by not closing the toilet seat when we flush. Harpic used sophisticated high-speed specialist camera technology to capture a fireworks display of thousands of tiny aerosol droplets being catapulted into the bathroom, contaminating all surfaces up to two meters away. Not only did the droplets spread over a wide area of the bathroom, but they also stayed airborne for up to a minute as they are tiny.

The photos above and below illustrate these fireworks displays graphically illustrating how far into the air a flushing toilet catapults these aerosol droplets.

Flushed toilet water aerosol droplets can contain bacteria & viruses

These photos are of a single toilet flush. Imagine what your towels, facecloths, laundry, makeup and toothbrush look like after multiple toilet flushes with the seat up.

Water in a toilet bowl that has been exposed to harmful pathogens will remain contaminated despite clean water being flushed into the toilet pan multiple times. The contaminated aerosol droplets and particles are very fine and are more than capable of reaching your lower respiratory tract. This potentially can create infections.

If you touch any surface in your bathroom contaminated by the toilet bowl flushing of aerosol droplets you can risk infections if you have cuts or touch your mouth or nose.

Would you clean your teeth with a toothbrush sprayed with flushed toilet water?

Let’s face it. None of us would knowingly clean our teeth with a toothbrush that has been sprayed with contaminated toilet water. But the reality is over 50% of the population never close the toilet lid before flushing.

Unhygienic bathrooms really are dangerous

As a spokesman for Harpic stated after their research was made public, “There has never been a more important time to take extra care around our homes. Although the risks associated with germ spread in unhygienic bathrooms are high, the solution to keeping them clean is simple. We hope our new #CloseTheLid campaign helps inspire people to make simple changes to their cleaning routine that can have long-lasting benefits to the health of the nation.”

The Harpic survey of 2000 respondents was undertaken in the UK, but I guarantee the results would apply equally to Australia.

When asked why they did not close the toilet seat lid when flushing the toilet were:

47% said they were unaware of the danger in not closing the lid
24% said they were afraid to touch the toilet seat lid
15% said they forgot to close the toilet seat lid

Three simple solutions to bathroom hygiene

COVID-19 has been a huge motivation to increase bathroom hygiene with Harpic, suggesting the three steps below are a simple common sense approach for a more hygienic bathroom.

Always close the toilet seat lid when flushing the toilet to prevent germs that potentially contain bacteria and viruses spreading over your bathroom.
Ensure you clean your toilet bowl, toilet seat and cistern with a toilet cleaner that removes limescale, providing a home to germs and disinfecting the toilet to guarantee ultimate hygiene.
Always wear gloves when cleaning the toilet and wash your hands afterwards.

It’s simple just close the toilet seat lid every time you flush

Closing the toilet seat lid is simple hygiene that helps eliminate the potential spread of COVID-19, which we know is found in human waste.

Just remember when you flush with the toilet seat lid up the contaminated aerosol droplets spread up to two meters in all directions spraying you with the droplets as you redress for up to 35 seconds.

Teach your children always to shut the toilet seat for their health: your health and the health of the entire community.

DIY Installations of Bidet Seats and Douche Sprays

by Gary Mays | Apr 10, 2020 | bidet seats

The DIY Installations of Bidet Seats and Douche Sprays is Illegal

The DIY installations of bidet seats and douche sprays are illegal. The health risk of incorrectly installed bidet seats or douche sprays can be severe not only to you but to the community as a whole. In the last month, Google searches for the term bidets have increased tenfold, which is frightening as traditionally Australians have shunned the installation of bidets. The increase in Google searches has occurred due to multiple social media posts and newspaper articles on so-called alternative toileting devices and what is appallingly lousy advice on their installation.

The multitude of bidet seats and douche sprays that can now be found for sale online has set off alarm bells at all levels of government in Australia. It is evident when checking the scant information available online that very few of these online products have been tested and approved for use in Australia.

Hardware stores and specialist plumbing suppliers that stock douche spray kits are selling them out as fast as stock arrives to DIY enthusiasts who get installation advice from shop assistants. This just increases the health risks tenfold. There have been reports of staff in plumbing supply stores being abused for refusing to advise on how to install bidet seats or douche spray kits and suggesting that a licensed plumber must install these products.

QBCC Public Health Warning on Alternative Toileting Devices

As a result, here in Queensland, the QBCC has issued a public warning on the sale and installation of ‘alternative toileting devices’ which in part states:

This is a warning issued by the Commissioner of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) to the public under section 20J(1)(i) of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (QBCC Act).

The QBCC warns suppliers and the public about the sale and use of potentially non-conforming building products, namely Do It Yourself (DIY) bidets, douche sprays and similar hygiene devices, collectively known as ‘alternative toileting devices’.

The QBCC has recently become aware of the sale and DIY installation of alternative toileting devices in Queensland, particularly for household use. Unless these devices are manufactured to comply with Australian Standards and also are properly installed, these can lead to a risk of contaminating the household water supply with E. coli bacteria. An E. coli infection can lead to serious health and safety issues.

In Queensland, alternative toileting devices must be installed by a licensed plumber who has the skills and qualifications to ensure that a backflow prevention device is in place.

Bidet Seats and Douche Sprays Are High-Hazard Installations

A bidet seat or a douche spray are classified as high-hazard plumbing products. This is because there is a high risk of toilet sewage water mixing with your drinking water if they are not installed as per the requirements of section 12 of AS/NZS 3500.1-2018 Water Services. They must be legally certified with an Australian WaterMark approval which is evident on the packaging plus can be searched online at the WaterMark Product Database.

Despite looking easy to install, they are not. Both a bidet seat and a douche spray require a water connection. Generally, this can be at the water connection for the toilet cistern. However, this always requires a legally compliant backflow prevention device to be installed as well. This is not an optional extra it is the law to prevent your drinking water from becoming contaminated, which pose serious risks to your families health and safety.

If you have recently undertaken a DIY installation of a bidet seat or douche spray to your toilet, then we urge you to call us on (07) 5580 4311 to get us to check it is a compliant installation. This ensures you have not created a risk to your families health and safety plus ensures you have not null and voided your homes insurance policies.

Only Licensed Plumbers Can Install a Bidet Seat or Douche Spray

You need to be aware of so-called unlicensed plumbers or handyman who cannot legally install a bidet seat or douche spray to your toilet. Beware of the handyman who tries to convince you that he can undertake plumbing works as long as it’s under $3300 of value. This is a complete lie by opportunistic unlicensed scammers who put your families health at risk. The benchmark value for undertaking plumbing, drainage or gas work is $0 and always has been.

For extra assurance go the QBCC website To find out more about a licensee you can use their online licensee search, or search their occupational licence.

If you would like to investigate the installation of a bidet seat or douche spray to your toilet, then call us on (07) 5580 4311 to book an appointment. This ensures the installation is compliant with Queensland law, as all products we install have appropriate and genuine Watermark certification.