Chennai, Sep 10 (IANS): The Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) will soon approach the central government to star rate consumer durables like washing machines, dish washers and bath fixtures for water efficiency, a top official said here.

"We will soon approach the Ministry of Water Resources to star rate products like washing machines, dish washers, taps, showers, shower heads, flush, low flow urinals for their water usage efficiency. Water is a precious commodity that is becoming scarce," Gurmit Singh Arora, National President, IPA, told the media late Saturday.

According to Arora, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency star rates electrical goods and there was an increasing need for rating water related products.

"Star rating of consumer durables has caught on as power cost is high whereas the cost of water is very cheap and hence people are not largely concerned about water wastage," Arora said.

Queried about the premium shower heads and their water efficiency, C.S. Gupta, Honorary General Secretary, IPA, said the modern shower heads are water efficient although it seem they discharge more water.

Arora also said the upcoming Indian Plumbing Conference here will focus on the disconnect between the architects and the plumbing experts of high rise buildings.

"The architect drawings of high rise buildings do not take into account the plumbing needs."

"The plumbing consultant is called in later and not in the building's design stage. This results in overflowing sewage, inadequate planning of water needs and its disposal," Arora said.

The 23rd Indian Plumbing Conference (IPC) will be held at the Chennai Trade Centre from September 22 to 23.

The theme of the conference is "Intricacies in Plumbing Design for High Rise Buildings".

According to Arora, around 700 delegates are expected to attend the conference. There will be delegates from 10 foreign countries as well.

An exhibition will also be held to display and demonstrate products and technologies by domestic and international players.