DEFRA, Securing minimum levels of water efficiency in new buildings

Securing minimum levels of water efficiency in new buildings
March 04th 2008

For the 2007 edition of Water Efficient Solutions,Defra provided an article describing how the Code for Sustainable Homes will drive the sustainability of new homes into the future.We indicated in that article our desire to seize the opportunity to make all new homes conform to the highest environmental standards.As demonstrated by the response to the public consultation on the Code and in other fora, wider stakeholders have shown a similar desire to ensure new housing achieves minimum standards for the two key sustainability criteria – energy and water efficiency

The case for action is clear. Simple measures can make a great difference to the amount of water used in buildings.It has been estimated that installing efficient, rather than standard, water fittings in new homes could reduce per capita consumption by about 20% without placing significant additional costs on developers.In commercial buildings up to 25% water savings can be achieved simply through the specification of efficient WCs and urinals.

In December 2006 Defra and Communities and Local Government (CLG) published a joint consultation document setting out proposals to regulate for minimum standards of water efficiency in new homes and commercial buildings. An analysis of consultation responses was published in June of last year, followed in July by Water Efficiency in New Buildings, a joint Defra and CLG policy statement that addressed the key issues raised in responses to the consultation. Respondents to the consultation were almost without exception in favour of setting standards for water efficiency, feeling that long term water savings in the home could be secured by Government setting standards for key water using fittings and for an overall water efficiency performance standard for homes. The preferred approach among respondents was for a whole building performance standard that would be achievable by selecting efficient water fittings that are widely available.

The Water Efficiency in New Buildings policy statement set Government proposals to bring forward regulations to implement minimum standards of water efficiency for new buildings and key fittings.Over the course of the coming year Government will amend Building Regulations to set a whole building performance standard for new homes and will review the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations.

Using a similar approach to that adopted within the Code for Sustainable Homes, an amendment to the Building Regulations will set a calculated whole building performance standard of 125 litres/head/day for water use in new homes. This has the advantage of allowing flexibility about the choice of individual water fittings while still enabling the achievement of an overall performance level for the home. CLG will also conduct research and analysis to assess whether it is possible to establish whole building performance benchmarks for a range of non domestic buildings.

The Water Fittings Regulations currently set minimum levels of performance for key water using appliances such as WCs, urinals,dishwashers and washing machines. We will revise the Regulations with a view to setting new performance standards for these fittings,as well as others commonly installed in buildings such as washbasin taps.

Through the Regulations it would also be possible to regulate high water using fittings such as wet rooms, spa baths,etc., to make such appliances notifiable to the local water company. This would enable them to exercise discretionary powers to install a water meter and hence reflect the true cost of the water being used. These measures will apply to individual appliances installed in both new and existing houses and non-domestic buildings and are intended to complement the overall performance standard set within building regulations.

Over the coming year Government intends to examine the scope for measures to encourage the uptake of water efficient appliances or adjustments in existing buildings.

More articles from DEFRA:

The future for water in England (4th March 2008)

The past year has been challenging for water. A year ago, hosepipe bans were still in place in parts of south-east England at the end of one of the worst droughts in a century.

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Water efficiency is for life, not just for summer (15th February 2007)

The drought last summer raised the profile of water efficiency, especially in the South East of England. With the above average rainfall last autumn, it is important to ensure that water efficiency continues to be given the attention that it deserves

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The conservation challenge (15th February 2007)

When we construct and use our homes we cause a range of impacts on the environment – including using water inefficiently instead of conserving our resources

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The Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme for Sustainable Water Technologies (5th June 2006)

To encourage businesses to place water efficiency as one of their key objectives in their environmental management strategies, the Government decided to reward good environmental practices. The Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme for sustainable

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