Water Conservation
There is a growing need to reduce water consumption within the home, due to an ever increasing population coupled with variable climatic conditions, as witnessed during the UK draught of 2006 (during which non essential water use was banned). By reducing our annual usage, our resilience to future unpredictable conditions may be improved.
There is increasing incentives for individuals to adapt their home with Water Conservation measures to comply and meet BREEAM standards, providing savings implemented which meet 50% annual water demand.
Water Conservation techniques generally targets two main areas, these are to reduce usage and minimise wastage. These may be resolved through a number of measures, including water saving devices such as Low volume baths, Water saving taps to Rainwater recovery tanks and Grey Water systems.
Rainwater Recovery Tanks
These work by harvesting rainwater from the collection of water from surfaces, predominately the roof and storing this water for future re-use. Rainwater is diverted from gutters to a water butt. Systems vary considerably in both size and complexity, from a simple standalone water tank/ butt to a more complex "Rewatec" system connected to the main gutter, with an overflow to a soak away or similar, providing useable water for gardening purposes, toilet flushing and the washing machine.
Depending on the size of the system chosen, these may be relatively minor in cost, as for a typical 227 l (50 gallons) water tank may be as little as £30.00 to a 2700l water butt at £750.00, which can provide approximately 50% of the average 2 person households needs. Rainwater recovery tanks are included in the Governments energy technology list, and thus qualify for enhanced capital allowances.
Rainwater recovery tanks are only applicable to areas with external space e.g. gardens, and although many users already have such tanks, their benefit is negligent as the tank is often inadequate, being too small.
These systems not only reduce demand on water supply, but also have the added benefit of acting as a Storm water Attenuator, cutting the drainage burden and risk of flooding, thus benefiting the wider community as a whole.
Grey Water Recycling
Grey Water systems recycle waste water from domestic processes, making up 80% of all water used in the average home; including dishwashing, laundry and showers/baths. It should be noted that Greywater differs from Blackwater, or sewage, (water from toilets).
These systems are becoming increasingly popular in urban areas with relatively low rainfall, and no or very little outdoor space, particularly as costs of sewage treatment plants escalate. However there remains a number of legislative obstacles due to environmental and health concerns; although generally these are non applicable for self residential use.
Their practical use is generally confined to larger homes, due to a need to provide filtration, treatment and planting beds. These are thus costly to install, however Greywater contains contaminants, and thus a number of filtration and treatment stages are required prior to use in Washing etc, these take up substantial space, which needs to be considered. Find out more information on Greywater.
Alternatively the Rainwater system could be incorporated within the Greywater Recycling system, as a Combined System requiring little alterative work, except requiring a larger storage tank; Thus allows heavy uses such as garden irrigation to be met more easily, and greatly reduces flooding risk in the area.
Water Saving Solutions
- Low Water Content Toilets - e.g. Galerie Flushwise, uses dual flush technology, saving 2-4l per flush.
- Low Volume Baths - shaped to fit average body.
- Shower Flow limiters - fitted between valve and shower hose, providing 75% savings.
- Ceramic Disk taps - using CLICK cartridge technology, restricting water flow by 50% by mixing with air to reduce splashing.
Future Regulations
There has never been a better time to consider introducing water conservation techniques within the home, with the advent of the Code of Sustainable Homes, a new Part G of the Building Regulations, "Sanitation, Hot Water Safety and Water Efficiency" is due to be published, taking effect from October this year. This sets out a recommended whole house use of 125 litres of water per person per day.