Water Efficiency
Everyone needs to become more water conscious as resources grow scarcer, but this is particularly important in the South East - a densely populated, dry part of Britain. As SEEDA's website explains, ‘South East England faces many challenges associated with water, including water supply and demand, flooding, water quality and the environment; these challenges are being accentuated by the impacts of population growth, economic development and climate change.'
| Water consumption forms an important part of the Code, with mandatory levels awarded for water (Category 2, page 67) to ‘reduce the consumption of potable water in the home'. ‘Credits are awarded on the predicted average household water consumption for the Dwelling type.' To meet levels 3 of the Code, water consumption needs to be reduced to 105 (l/person/day) with levels 5 and 6 being equal or less than 80 l/p/day. Achieving the higher levels will not be easy. |  |
To achieve these challenging targets it is important to benchmark water use in the early design stages of a new building so that appropriate strategies can be incorporated for reducing water consumption.
Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS)
This scheme aims ‘to promote knowledge of the Water Regulations throughout the UK'. The website includes a searchable ‘reference directory of fittings, materials and appliances approved for use on the UK Water Supply System by the WRAS and DEFRA'. The database is updated regularly so that the latest information is readily available to users.
www.wras.co.uk
Waterwise
www.waterwise.org.uk
The Environment Agency (Nov 2007) Conserving water in buildings, A practical guide
This guide shows you how to reduce the amount of water you use. It includes sections on toilets, urinals, showers, baths, domestic appliances, taps, gardening, reusing greywater and harvesting rainwater, detecting leaks and metering, plumbing and heating system design.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/geho1107bnjree_1934318.pdf
Envirowise
This website includes useful water facts and publication on water saving devices and practices including the Good Practice Guide (GG522) Cost-effective water saving devices and practices which although provides practical tips on how to save water in commercial and industrial organisations, is usable in the domestic market also.
http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/waterfacts
South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)
This site provides information about the South East Water Resources Forum.
http://www.seeda.co.uk/Work_in_the_Region/Sustainable_Developments/Water/
Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
This site includes guidance on the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/industry/wsregs99/guide/section4.htm
