Water Efficient Solutions

Your company

can save up to 30% on bills by managing water use

Reduce water use Reduce water bills Boost cash flow

• cleaning in place equipment • efficient showers • efficient taps • efficient toilets • efficient washing machines • flow controllers

Invest in water efficient products on the Water Technology List

www.businesslink.gov.uk/wtl

0844 875 5885

• leakage detection equipment • meters and monitoring equipment • rainwater harvesting equipment • small scale slurry and sludge dewatering equipment • vehicle wash water reclaim units • water efficient industrial cleaning equipment • water management equipment for mechanical seals • water reuse

The WTL symbol is a UK registered certification mark of Defra.

Contents

S

Editor’s foreword

ecurity of supply is crucial for water in a way that it isn’t for energy. Energy is a commodity that if you pay enough then it will be supplied.

You can argue about whether it is desirable to have a massive proportion of your power generated by imported gas but the lights won’t go out, if you pay enough.

Water, however, is different; it is both difficult and expensive to move around. One option to solve this is through water trading, whereby adjacent water companies can supply each other if water demand is high in their particular area. You could envisage a tag team of water moving towards the South-east at times of water stress.

Water efficiency is a social, monetary and environmental answer to the problem of water stress and business costs, yet why is so little done about it?

The government tries a little but largely ignores water as a central issue in policy-making, unless it’s about flooding.

All of the recent green initiatives from government should include help, finance and advice about reducing water use and not just because there is an energy component to cleaning, pumping and heating it.

There are moves towards this but more needs to be done and quicker – water is not just ‘on tap’.

Tim McManan-Smith – editor

Financial incentives

4

EU policies

5

Water monitoring

6

Water bill overcharges

8

Regulations & management

10

UN water guidance

13

Water awareness

14

The Green Deal

18

Water and corporations

20

Flow controllers

22

Attitudes to water

24

The Evidence Base

26

Company profiles CMR Consultants

29

Neopearl

30

Aqualogic

31

Douglas Delabie

33

Cistermiser

34

Editor Tim McManan-Smith Print production Wendy Spurling Sales director Steve Swaine Greater London House, Hampstead Road, London NW1 7EJ Registered at Stationers Hall ISSN 0964 8321 Printed in England by Headley Brothers Ltd, Ashford, Kent

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

3

Water Technology List

Efficiency and opportunity Kate Davis, a project manager at environmental consultancy AEA, discusses the financial benefits associated with water efficiency and highlights opportunities to access tax relief, which may help firms that have taken steps to reduce waste and improve their environmental performance

S

et against the fragile economic climate of low growth, high inflation and worries over increasing capital spending and staff numbers, it is clear that efficiency will remain a key priority for many organisations in 2011. Water, however, is one resource that is common to most operations and, for many, such as food manufacturers and processors, demand can be high.

Water is an increasingly expensive commodity, although it is not always treated as such. In fact, the Environment Agency estimates that inefficient use of water costs UK businesses more than £3.5 billion a year.

In these difficult economic times, organisations of all sizes and across all sectors will be keen to reduce waste where possible.

The good news is that taking steps to improve water efficiency is surprisingly straightforward and can result in considerable bottom line savings.

Many organisations – especially those that have not yet reviewed water use – tend to underestimate their consumption. However, once a business really

The Environment Agency estimates that inefficient use of water costs UK businesses more than £3.5 billion annually 4

understands where and how it uses water, it is in a position to take advantage of the numerous simple low-cost, and even no-cost, efficiency measures available to optimise use and minimise effluent discharge.

Usage appraisal A crucial first step is to carry out a full appraisal of usage, including drawing up a water balance. This is a numerical represention of where water enters and leaves the business, and helps to identify possible water leaks. As all water passes through a meter it will be charged to the organisation, even if it wasted through leakage. A leaking 25mm pipe, for example, can waste more than 36.5 million litres of water a year at a cost of around £35,000.

A systematic approach is key – and if used to best effect, could reduce consumption by as much as 50 per cent. Water-efficient technologies which enable water recovery and re-use, as well as cleaning in place, are a sound investment for the short and longer term.

Furthermore, businesses that pay income or corporation tax can benefit from the government’s Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme when they purchase technologies listed on its Water Technology List (WTL). Firms that buy from the WTL can write off the whole cost of the investment against their taxable profits in the year of purchase.

Accelerated tax relief Since its launch in 2003, the WTL has grown to encompass more than 2,300 products that qualify for accelerated tax relief. Categorised by technology area, products range from efficient taps, toilets and showers to flow controllers, rainwater harvesting equipment and vehicle wash water reclaim units.

As the business climate improves and the economy starts to recover and grow, it is possible that firms that have taken concerted action to streamline their operations now will benefit from a business that is leaner and fitter than ever before. The gains associated with improving water efficiency should not be underestimated.

To find out more about purchasing products from the WTL or to register a product for inclusion, visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/wtl or call 0844 875 5885.

HMRC has also published detailed guidance on the ECA scheme on its website at www.hmrc.gov.uk.

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

EU initiatives

Eco excellence across Europe The European Commission is developing EU Ecolabel and GPP criteria for two water-using product groups

T

he European Union has established growth and sustainable development as two priority policies, along with the aim of fostering the EU’s competitiveness and improving the quality of life and wellbeing for present and future generations.

Through its industrial policy, the EU has set the strategic framework for doing business in Europe.

European industry is globally competitive, contributing substantially to growth and jobs. At the same time, the challenge for the EU is the integration of sustainable development with other policies, including those connected with entrepreneurship and innovation.

The EU’s policy on sustainable consumption and production aims at moving towards an energy- and resource-efficient economy by improving the overall environmental performance of products throughout their lifecycle. It also aims to increase consumer demand for such products by helping consumers to make informed choices. In this regard, the European Commission has implemented a number of product policy instruments including the EU Ecolabel and Green Public Procurement (GPP).

The EU Ecolabel and GPP schemes establish criteria for products demonstrating excellent environmental performance. Producers of such products can apply for the Ecolabel on a voluntary basis and then be permitted to display the logo (a flower) on their products for promotional purposes as an aid to informing consumer choice.

Recipe for success Businesses offering products meeting GPP specifications are also well placed for success in tender competitions, since GPP is becoming ever more important for public sector purchasers. Once published, Ecolabel criteria and GPP specifications remain valid for a period of between three and five years. After that time, the criteria are assessed to determine whether they remain up to date and, where necessary, undergo a revision to ensure they maintain their high standard.

The European Commission intends to extend the coverage of the Ecolabel and GPP to a wider range of products. To this end, work has begun to develop Ecolabel and GPP proposals for two water-using product groups: taps and showerheads; and toilets and urinals. The work is led by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies, with technical support provided

by AEA. The work now under way is collecting information

regarding market characteristics, trends, environmental impacts, consumer behaviour and the potential for environmental improvement.

Stakeholder input to the work is of paramount importance and can be passed to the study team via the project websites (http://susproc.jrc.ec.europa. eu/ecotapware/ and http://susproc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ toilets/projectteam.html). Alternatively stakeholders are welcome to participate at one of the ad-hoc working group meetings planned for the studies – details are provided on the websites.

Work on the taps and showerheads study got under way during spring 2010. The aim is to complete the study by the end of 2011. Draft study reports are available at the website and were discussed at the March 2011 ad-hoc working group meeting. Early findings suggest that the key environmental impacts are associated with in-use water consumption and the associated energy used for water heating.

The toilets and urinals study began in January 2011.

Similar activities are planned for taps, so stakeholders should keep an eye on the project website for details and updates.

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

Businesses offering products meeting GPP specifications are also well placed for success in tender competitions, since GPP is becoming ever more important for public sector purchasers 5

The Rippleffect

WRAP performs a balancing act with efficiency WRAP examines the importance of water efficiency for business and how one company has saved £46,000 by monitoring water use through a WRAP initiative

W

With businesses using more than 9.8 billion cubic metres a year, there is significant potential for companies to save money and reduce their environmental impact by taking action on water efficiency 6

ith the UK facing changing weather patterns, growing demand on water resources and evolving regulation, water efficiency is becoming an increasingly important issue for businesses.

Companies that take action on water wastage also stand to benefit from significant cost savings.

Experience has shown that businesses that take action can reduce their water bills by as much as a third. In fact, research has revealed that UK companies could be missing out on combined savings of up to £10 million a day by failing to improve water efficiency.

With businesses using more than 9.8 billion cubic metres a year, there is significant potential for companies to save money and reduce their environmental impact by taking action on water efficiency. Help is at hand through The Rippleffect, an online training initiative from WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) providing advice and support to help businesses across a range of industry sectors get to grips with water efficiency and maximise the costsaving potential.

More than 1,500 businesses have registered for the initiative, which provides companies with a structured approach to help them understand how much water they could save, identify ways to start saving water and measure the water and cost savings that have been made.

Understanding water use One of the key areas covered by The Rippleffect is how to carry out a water balance. A water balance allows a business to understand current use in each part of its site, for example in the factory or the office, which will help identify areas with the greatest potential to make savings, as well as helping to expose leaks.

Once a water balance has been established and water use in each area is understood, water saving opportunities and projected cost-savings can be identified.

Undertaking a water balance helped Saft Batteries to better understand its water use and identify

efficiency measures which led to annual cost savings worth around £46,000. Saft Batteries signed up to The Rippleffect and after completing the online modules staff reviewed water use at its South Shields site.

Saft’s Specialty Battery Group at South Shields manufactures high performance primary lithium batteries. Operations comprise cell assembly, electrolyte fill, test and dispatch. Typically, the site used 3,000m³ of mains water a month. As this was consistent month on month, the usage was considered to be normal.

Balancing act Water is supplied to the site via a single pipe fitted with a water meter located at the front of the property.

Typically, production is limited to weekdays, with some maintenance work over the weekend. However, an initial review of the meter readings indicated there was significant water use at weekends and there was a discrepancy between the metered data and the

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

A water balance allows a business to understand current use in each part of its site, which will help identify areas with the greatest potential to make savings, as well as helping to expose leaks

mapped water use from the water balance. On further investigation the following problems were identified: n A number of valves were found to have failed, resulting in water flow though the pipe despite the valve appearing to be ‘closed’; n Water for the welding units, which is used for cooling purposes, was occasionally left running when the units were not in use; n Broken ballcock floats led to overflow from the boiler header tank and a toilet cistern.

In all cases, the overflows were out of sight or concealed so weren’t obvious. Water-saving measures were subsequently implemented to reduce water use, including the replacement of faulty valves and ballcocks. The cooling water is now only switched on when the welding units are in use and a water-saving device has been fitted to each toilet cistern. This cistern volume adjuster reduces the volume used to flush the toilet by 1.5 litres per flush.

By reviewing its water use and developing a water balance, the site has reduced its water use from typically 3,000m³ per month to around 220m³ – an annual saving of over 33,000m³. By implementing water saving measures, Saft has already achieved a tenfold reduction in water use per manufactured lithium cell, showing the significant benefits that can be achieved as a result of monitoring water use.

For further information see: www.wrap.org.uk/rippleffect

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

7

Water billing

Overcharges to the tune of £1bn – what you can do?

Britain’s public sector, industrial and commercial businesses are being overcharged £100 million a year on their water bills, according to research revealed at the MEUC’s Water and Effluent Group meeting at Birmingham’s NEC on 3 March

O

“Taking a conservative view, an estimated £1 billion of private and public sector money is sitting in water company accounts” 8

ur internal working data shows that at least 13 per cent of non-domestic properties of every kind are being incorrectly charged and, of the many sites we have been asked to investigate which are incorrectly charged, at least 95 per cent of them are overcharged,” says Cadantis director Glen Collins.

“Some market sectors are much worse than others.

For instance, despite it being quite early in our research, we are confident it could be as high as 50 per cent within the grammar, college and further education sector.

“There are approximately 1.6 million non-domestic connections within the UK, according to Water UK figures, and if our data represents a snapshot of the position nationally, then approximately 210,000 properties are being overcharged,” Mr Collins adds.

“Using a very conservative £500 refund and £500 saving in the first year, then water companies have overcharged since 1st April 2010 by £100 million and, unless challenged will continue to do so.

“Additionally, an analysis of the historic level of overcharging means that it is very likely that, taking a conservative view, an estimated £1 billion of private and public sector money is sitting in water company accounts – or has been made available for dividend

payments. A billion pounds growing at the rate of £100m per year and ignoring interest is how big the problem is. We think that’s worth tackling.”

Water companies have a statutory duty to supply water and sewerage services and a commercial footing on which to charge for these services. Fair enough, you might think.

“However, where they have failed to charge for services then they will usually backdate charges for up to seven years,” says Mr Collins. “But where a refund is due, they limit the consumer’s right to refunds to the 1 April preceding the claim date. This is even where they have charged you for services which they have not delivered. How can this be fair?”

Refund policy The regulator Ofwat expects water companies to look at the issues on a case-by-case basis and expects any policy of refunds and backdated charges to be applied symmetrically on similar issues.

What this means is that if a supplier has been charging too little they may be able (subject to the provisions of the Limitation Act 1980) to backdate a charge for up to six years, but only if, in the same instance, they are also offering refunds dating back six years.

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

An Ofwat spokesperson says: “Where a company has a general policy of limiting refunds to 1 April in the charging year, we would expect the company to apply this policy symmetrically where a customer had been undercharged for the service.

“If a customer thinks that rebates and backdated charges are not being applied symmetrically, or has other issues with their charges that they can’t resolve with their water company, we would recommend that they get in touch with the consumer representative for the sector, the Consumer Council for Water (CC Water).

“If there appears to be systemic issues in this area, we would expect CC Water to escalate the problem to us, so we can investigate further.”

Flawed evidence Cadantis, which specialises in tackling and independently assessing the validity and appropriateness of water charges has no difficulty with those suppliers who are attempting to legitimately and even-handedly correct their data and make appropriate charges and refunds.

However, it does feel the evidence it has collected from its clients shows that the basis adopted by the water supplier in many instances is flawed, particularly in those regions where surface water drainage is charged separately, and the business consumer may then be faced with the prospect of trying to disprove an unjustifiable claim with no opportunity to recover the associated costs and wasted administration time from the water company.

In many cases the bill, when checked against their charging scheme, appears justified. “But it is not necessarily the bill that is incorrect,” says Mr Collins.

“It is the assumptions behind it that are wrong.

This is often claimed by the supplier to be the result of historic information that the water companies inherited, even though, in many cases, they have had 20 years to verify their data but may have failed to do so.

“Even worse are the errors on properties built postprivatisation where it is entirely reasonable to assume that the water company should know the nature of the consumers’ connections. After all, it’s the water company who is raising charges so shouldn’t they know who’s connected (or not)? And shouldn’t they only raise those charges which are appropriate on proven – not assumed – connected services?”

According to Cadantis, water companies do not make it easy to challenge their bills and most require very detailed analysis and evidence – far more so than they usually provide when raising charges – and this can be time-consuming and expensive to produce.

Unless it is submitted by a competent body, may well be rejected.

Most business organisations simply don’t have the time or inclination to investigate and tackle these charges and stay abreast of all the various charging schemes - particularly when there may be no benefit.

As Mr Collins points out: “Few organisations really understand water and we are one of only a handful of specialist independent companies providing the kind of services needed to address the challenge. We urge you to look at your charges – water could be worth more than you think.”

For further information visit the Major Energy Users’ Council website at www.meuc.co.uk

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

Water companies do not make it easy to challenge their bills and most require very detailed analysis and evidence

9

Building Regulations

Supply and demand balance Sustainable water management and Building Regulation Part G are examined by Martin Shouler

W

ater is a precious resource. However, in the UK there is a tendency to take its availability for granted. We only begin to think about the importance of this resource when its use becomes restricted.

We need to ensure a sustainable water supply and demand balance. This brings with it the benefits of reducing the environmental impacts of abstracting, distributing and treating the water we use before returning it to the natural environment.

The supply and use of water is tightly controlled in the UK and has traditionally focused on safeguarding public health.

UK climate projections suggest it will become hotter and drier in the summer and warmer and wetter in the winter. It is predicted that average precipitation across the UK may decrease slightly – but winters will become wetter and summers will become drier. This is likely to put pressure on our water infrastructure. It should be noted in particular that the South-east and East of England are already facing increasing demand for their water supply. It was only through the use of controls on what water could be used that the drought of 2004-06 was managed.

Household water use represents over 50 per cent of the total public water supply 10

Dry future Looking into the future it is likely that droughts will become more common. By 2080, some long-term climate projections forecast half as much rainfall in summer (nothing like fully offset by 30 per cent more rainfall in winter) in the South-east. As well as looking at new water supplies, we need to consider using the water we have more wisely. It is important to remember also that water use is also a significant contributor in terms of UK carbon emissions.

During 2006-2007, the UK water industry used almost 7,900GWh of energy in its total operations including, abstracting, pumping, treating and heating water and treating and pumping wastewater, and emitted over 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). However, hot water use in dwellings contributes around 35 million tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2e). In total, over 5 per cent of UK carbon emissions are related to water use.

Therefore, water efficiency, specially related to hot water, is important in helping the UK to meet its carbon emission reduction commitments.

Household water use represents over half the total public water supply (see graphic overleaf) and there are significant opportunities to reduce water consumption both for new-build and existing buildings.

Currently, only around one-third of properties in England and Wales are charged for their water use using a water meter. Other properties do not have a financial incentive to use water wisely.

The design of water systems for buildings has been driven by changes in legislation, for example: n Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999; n Changes to Building Regulation Part G; n Code for Sustainable Homes.

Building Regulation Part G (Sanitation, Hot Water Safety and Water Efficiency) on water supply to buildings was revised in April 2010.

The revised scope of Part G covered: cold water supply (G1); water efficiency (G2); hot water supply and systems (G3); sanitary conveniences and washing facilities (G4); bathrooms (G5); and kitchens/food preparation areas (G6).

This current edition of the Part G was the first time the Building Regulations covered water efficient measures. This was achieved through the introduction of a design limit of 125 litres per person per day on provision of ‘wholesome’ water in new homes, or those created by a ‘material change of use’.

‘Wholesome’ water is fit to use for drinking, cooking, food preparation or washing and does not present a risk to human health.

The quality of ‘wholesome’ is stringently controlled with maximum permissible limits on: n Physical qualities (including colour, taste and odour); n Biological quality (including levels of bacteria); n Chemical quality (including levels of metals, solvents, pesticides and hydrocarbons).

It is considered that alternative water sources can be used for toilet flushing and irrigation. There is guidance in the Approved Document to Part G on assessing the feasibility and risk of using such supplies, as well as their installation, marking, maintenance and operation.

Examples of ‘non-wholesome’ water include: n Surface water from watercourses (eg streams, brooks, rivers) or ponds and lakes groundwater abstracted from boreholes, wells or springs; n Rainwater – generally known as rainwater harvesting systems; n Greywater – eg wastewater from showers, baths, handwash basins; n Treated sewerage effluent (TSE) – from sewage treatment plants or industrial processes.

The water quality of non-wholesome water and the risk it presents to health needs to be considered when designing systems to use this class of water.

Obviously, it is critical that non-wholesome water is

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

kept completely separate from wholesome water.

This is achieved through the use of clear marking of non‑wholesome water systems and pipework.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations gives guidance on this.

Look at the label For dwellings, labels should be used to identify nonwholesome systems and pipework. Labels should be either self-adhesive, wraparound or mechanically secured to the pipe. They should be green and carry the marking ‘reclaimed water’ in black lettering.

For larger scale systems (eg public and commercial buildings, multi-occupancy buildings) and where the pipes are insulated, marking should be in accordance with BS 1710 1984 Identification of Pipelines & Services.

The basic identification colour for reclaimed water pipelines should be green (BS 4800 12 D 45) to identify

the pipeline contents as water. The code indication colour should be black (BS 4800 00 E 53). In addition the words ‘reclaimed water’ should appear on either side of the overall banding in black text with a green background.

In terms of maximum water consumption the government has previously stated its aim of 130 litres/ per head/per day by 2030.

New dwellings now need both a SAP calculation for carbon emissions and also a new calculation of the potential water consumption, using the Water Efficiency Calculator for New Dwellings. The design water volume capacity or flowrate information of fittings and appliances – such as WCs, baths and showers, sinks and handwash basins, appliances and water softeners – must be input in order to determine the daily usage per person.

The water calculator allows the selection of ‘high’

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

It is critical that non-wholesome water is kept completely separate from wholesome water

11

Sustainable water management Public water supply, England and Wales (megalitres per day)

3,500

319

7,756

Household use

2,545

Customer leakage Water company leakage Other

873

Non-household use

water using appliances as long as the overall maximum allowance is not exceeded. For example, power showers can be used but their consumption must be offset by, for example, the installation of an alternative source of water for WC flushing.

New homes must not exceed 125 litres per person per day, although the Code for Sustainable Homes requires lower consumption (120 litres at Levels 1 or 2, down to 80 litres at Levels 5 or 6). The calculator gives guidance on the approach when determining the consumption per person, in order to demonstrate that the dwelling meets the new requirement set out in Regulation 17 of the Building Regulations.

The Regulation specifically addresses consumption of wholesome water, so there are drivers to use alternative water systems such as rainwater harvesting (RWH).

New regs A further new Regulation, 20E, requires that the calculation is submitted to Building Control, along with the carbon emissions calculations introduced under Regulation 20D. G3 is the most detailed requirement, and also has the most comprehensive guidance to accompany it.

It now addresses all hot water supply in buildings, whether from vented or unvented systems, and whether from conventional water heating sources or from solar heating. There is explicit guidance on the use of additional heat sources to ensure that water heated by solar systems is treated to restrict microbial growth. The CIBSE Domestic Building Services Guide is referenced in relation to solar water heating, as a source of authoritative guidance on solar thermal systems.

As well as covering water efficiency, Building Regulation G3 includes requirements on the safety of hot water systems and brings in limits on water temperatures when water leaves storage tanks and

12

when it is discharged into baths. Where water in a domestic hot water store is capable of exceeding 80 deg C in normal operation, then the store must be so designed that it does not allow water into the distribution at temperatures exceeding 60 deg C. As well as providing a framework for water efficiency in new dwellings, the government is responsible for the Water Technology List (WTL).

The WTL provides a list of water-efficient products and technologies. Businesses are able to write off the whole cost of their water efficiency investment against their taxable profits of the period during which they make the investment.

The list also serves as a useful source of information on efficient water-using products and systems which can be used when selecting appliances and equipment.

The author

Martin Shouler is associate director of Arup, immediate past chairman of SoPHE, chairman of the government’s National Water Conservation Group (NWCG) and Member of the BRAC Working Group on the revision of Building Regulation Part G

Society of Public Health Engineers

The Society of Public Health Engineers (SoPHE) aims to provide a higher profile and focus for public health engineers within CIBSE. The society has its own classes of membership independent of those of CIBSE and is able to provide designatory letters to those who are suitably qualified and experienced in public health engineering.

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

Water policy for business

Turn risk into an opportunity A UN guide is aiming to redefine the way businesses respond to water challenges, say WWF

W

ith water issues among the world’s most critical sustainability challenges, businesses are facing increasing water-related risk to their operations. The Guide to Responsible Business Engagement with Water Policy from the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate provides strategies for companies to turn risk into opportunity.

This helps redefine the way businesses respond to water challenges, focusing on the shared interests between the public and private sectors. “Companies are vulnerable to water risk because it’s a public good, and they are just one of many users,” says WWF International freshwater manager Stuart Orr. “But this isn’t about companies trying to claim more of a scarce resource. It’s about companies realising that their future profitability is dependent on the sustainable management of water resources. WWF applauds companies that are seeking responsible ways to use their influence to protect the world’s water resources.”

Traditionally, corporate water management has focused on improving efficiency or cost-saving technologies. But risks stem from external factors, including policies that govern how water is allocated with limited supplies. These policies dictate water prices, quality standards and safeguards against pollution, plus construction and maintenance of water infrastructure.

“The bottom line is that what is good for communities, for public water management, and for the environment is also in the best interest of companies working to ensure their access to water in the long term,” says Jason Morrison, director of the Pacific Institute’s globalisation programme and coauthor of the guide. “With increased threats to the supply, quality and reliability of water resources, companies cannot reduce their risk through changes in internal management alone. Future water security requires leadership from governments, and business can play a constructive role in both policy dialogue and implementation.”

The guide outlines five principles for responsible business engagement in water policy. The first speaks to intent; responsible engagement should be driven by a genuine interest in efficient, equitable, and ecologically sustainable water management.

Second, there should be a clear division of public and private sector roles, with businesses supporting the government’s mandate. Third, responsible engagement promotes inclusiveness and meaningful partnership.

Fourth, businesses should recognise the connections between water and other policy arenas, and be mindful of the environmental, social, cultural and political context. Finally, companies engaged in water policy must be transparent and accountable for their actions.

“Solving water problems requires not only better

public policy and stronger institutions, but also inclusive and meaningful participation in decisionmaking by all stakeholders, including business,” says Gavin Power, deputy director of the UN Global Compact and head of the CEO Water Mandate. “This new publication gives businesses the practical guidance and tools to engage in a principled way on sustainable water policy.”

The Guide to Responsible Business Engagement with Water Policy details strategic and practical approaches for companies. From encouraging efficient water use across a catchment area to supporting environmentally and socially responsible infrastructure development, business can help mitigate water risk. A business can advance public awareness of water issues, help remedy or prevent water resource problems, or fund repairs or upgrades to local water supply systems. Companies can also support research and monitoring, and contribute to the development of effective policy by sharing data.

The Guide to Responsible Business Engagement with Water Policy is a product of the CEO Water Mandate, drafted by the Pacific Institute in its capacity as the “operational arm” of the Mandate Secretariat in consort with WWF International, and with the support of Pegasys Strategy and Development Ltd and Water Witness International.

It can be downloaded at: http://www.pacinst.org/reports/guide_to_ responsible_business_engagement.pdf http://www.unglobalcompact.org/docs/ issues_doc/Environment/ceo_water_mandate/ Guide_Responsible_Business_Engagement_ Water_Policy.pdf

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

Responsible engagement should be driven by a genuine interest in sustainable water management 13

Efficient bathroom products

Breakthroughs in the bathroom The relentless drive for water efficiency is hitting home. More and more people are becoming aware of the need to conserve our precious resources, says the Bathroom Manufacturers Association

T

he man in the street is realising water is not as cheap as it once was. Nor is gas or electricity. Energy costs have rocketed and since a significant part of the household spend is in producing hot water, the consumer is actively searching for ways to reduce utility bills. Water saving is being recognised.

The media has played a major part in driving home the message that although there does seem an awful lot of water sloshing about our small patch of the world, it is of the wrong type and in the wrong place.

News stories highlighting the drive for water efficiency are more common and the messages issued from organisations such as the Bathroom Manufacturers Association are finding more column inches.

Bathroom manufacturers are responding vigorously to the drive for water and energy efficiency. They are playing an increasingly important role in designing and developing eco-friendly products. Their drawing boards are full of ideas and virtually every new product brought to market during 2010 had water efficiency embedded into its DNA – 2010 was a particularly good year for breakthrough thinking.

It’s safe to say we are making progress and the inevitable resistors to change are beginning to weaken.

Bathroom manufacturers, trade and associate members of the BMA are leading the drive for water efficiency both in their development of products and the creation of water efficiency tools.

We are making progress and the inevitable resistance to change is beginning to weaken 14

Product development We have seen some interesting and quite major breakthroughs recently and many of the products installed in today’s bathrooms have been affected.

WCs with super-efficient flushes are now commonplace. They no longer grace only the portfolios of a select few top-end manufacturers.

They are now more widespread, and reliable branded products that conform with the regulations and are guaranteed to actually work are here to stay.

Effective average flush volumes of 3 litres are available at realistic prices. At least one product has been launched in the past 12 months which combines the function of the washbasin with the WC. Waste from the basin is diverted and stored in the cistern prior to being used to flush the toilet. This type of breakthrough thinking is both surprising and effective.

Taps with built-in eco-click and thermo regulating

valves are freely available. These not only save water but save energy and are ultra-safe in the family bathroom.

Eco-friendly shower controls and shower heads have enjoyed massive growth over the past few years. These, like click-taps, show huge savings in both water and energy consumption. The technology used to develop and manufacture these devices is advancing fast.

Not so long ago the average new bath was filled with around 200 litres. Today, without much effort, a consumer can find a really comfortable bath with a capacity of just 130 litres. It’s all in the design.

Tools for the job But how would a prospective bathroom buyer, whether a trade professional or a man in the street, choose the very best bathroom to suit their requirements?

“They need the tools to do the job,” says BMA chief executive Yvonne Orgill. “Our staff, who are now based in new low-carbon offices at Keele Innovation Centre, have worked hard recently to develop the Water Efficient Product Labelling Scheme (WEPLS) and the new Water Calculator.”

WEPLS has grown rapidly from a germ of an idea to a benchmark scheme which is now being copied in Europe and wider afield. The web-enabled database holds the details of over 1,000 water-efficient bathroom products which, by default, have the lowest carbon footprint.

The scheme is increasingly recognised by consumers and professionals alike. From the government’s point of view it is an important tool in its drive to meet the green agenda.

More than 1,000 stockists have registered their details with the scheme, can be found at www.water-efficiencylabel.org.uk.

The key to WEPLS is the product label itself which is similar in design to the familiar energy label found on white goods. It clearly shows the volume of water the product will consume if installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

In a recent statement Richard Benyon, a minister at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), praised and supported the scheme.

“Water is an invaluable resource which needs to be managed responsibly,” he said. “While government and industry can help make it easier to save water, taking personal responsibility is at the heart of water conservation.

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

“People need access to clear advice on how they can save water so I am pleased to support the Bathroom Manufacturers Association in its work to develop a labelling scheme which provides people with an easy means to identify water-efficient products.”

Quest for efficiency The statement from the Defra minister shows that he and his department fully support the work of the BMA in driving the quest for water- and energy-efficient

bathroom products.

The product data stored in the database has now been put to good use in the new Water Calculator, which is designed to make it easier for developers and builders to meet the new water-efficiency requirements of Part G of the Building Regulations and the Code for Sustainable Homes. The calculator was designed and developed by the BMA in association with Waterwise East.

The Water Calculator at – www.thewatercalculator.

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

“Taking personal responsibility is at the heart of water conservation”

15

Efficient bathroom products

“The bathroom industry is playing its part in driving for a more sustainable future “

org.uk – is the first of its kind and includes waterconsumption information so that builders and developers can simply select from a drop-down menu of products to calculate the water consumption of a property.

The tool auto-completes the calculations, enabling quick and easy specification without the hassle of gathering data from product manufacturers. The results

can then be printed off to give to building control inspectors and others involved in the assessment process.

“Our members are encouraged by the very positive reaction to their work in developing these tools” says Ms Orgill.

“The bathroom industry is playing its part in driving for a more sustainable future.”

The BMA is the trade association for bathroom manufacturers operating in the UK. It is the principal voice of the bathroom industry and acts as an information highway between industry, government and the consumer on issues that affect the bathroom business.

The BMA represents, through its technical, marketing and management committees, the interests of almost 40 major bathroom manufacturing groups with over 75 well-known brands in the market place. The manufacturing base directly employs 8,000+ people at more than 60 sites in the UK. www.bathroom-association.org www.bathroom-academy.co.uk www.water-hog.co.uk www.water-efficiencylabel.org.uk Chief executive | Yvonne Orgill Technical director | Christian Taylor-Hamlin The Bathroom Manufacturers Association, Innovation Centre 1, Keele University Science and Business Park Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 5NB

16

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

Case study

A lesson in saving water A Cistermiser Easyflush solution fitted the bill at Cathays High School in Cardiff, where it has resulted in water savings for the school and improved hygiene for pupils

C

athays High School is a mixed comprehensive school for 11- to 19-year-olds serving the heart of Cardiff. As is the case at many progressive schools, Cathays High elects a School Council made up of elected representatives from all year groups. They meet to discuss and act upon ideas to improve the school. One wish passed on from all age groups was to seek a method of improving the flushing of toilets.

Research into ways of remedying this problem led to consideration of Cistermiser’s ‘hands free’ flushing system already in successful use in other schools and colleges. Gavin Bryant, the Schools Mechanical Advisory Officer for Cardiff County Council, suggested that Cistermiser be invited to demonstrate the Easyflush system and the company immediately sent a team to the school to review the problem at first hand.

The suggestion of using the Cistermiser Easyflush system in the usual ‘wave’ mode, where the user simply passes a hand in front of the infrared sensor to activate a flush was not considered wholly satisfactory. It was felt that this could be easily ignored as with manual flushing, so the team went back to talk to Cistermiser’s R & D department, which was already investigating other methods of flush activation.

A flush is automatically triggered whenever a user gets up or walks away from the toilet

Walkaway solution The need was for a flush system that could be activated automatically without any effort on the part of the user. Cistermiser’s solution was to adopt the Easyflush system but with walkaway operation. Under this new mode of operation a flush is automatically triggered whenever a user gets up or walks away from the toilet. However it can also be activated by the user bringing their hand toward the sensor.

The IR sensors operate on a dual flush system, delivering a part flush if the user leaves within 40 seconds or a full flush if that period is exceeded. The ‘walkaway’ method is simple, hygienic and economical since it restricts water use to a minimum. As a trial the Cistermiser Team fitted four of the cubicles used by the boys with Easyflush valves with walkaway flush activation and it has certainly solved the problem highlighted by the students at Cathays.

The school was particularly pleased with the co-operation and personal service from Cistermiser from the initial contact to the project’s completion.

The Easyflush toilets have now been in operation for nearly two years and have resulted in cleaner toilets and a more hygienic environment for the pupils.

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

17

Evidence Base for Water Efficiency

Let’s take a look at the evidence Waterwise’s Evidence Base for Large-scale Water Efficiency in Homes represents the best current available knowledge of water efficiency in the UK and guides water company retrofitting activity

W

aterwise sat on the Defra minister’s Water Saving Group for England from 2005 to 2008. The group identified a lack of a robust evidence base for water efficiency as a barrier to large-scale water efficiency programmes. From this the Evidence Base was born.

The Evidence Base gathers robust evidence from retrofit projects and uses innovative analysis methods to guide water company retrofitting activities in both homes and schools. The original Evidence Base report is acknowledged by Ofwat to have actively influenced the outcome of PR09 by providing the evidence to justify funding water efficiency retrofits in tens of thousands of homes.

In February 2010, Waterwise published the first report of Phase II of the Evidence Base, containing results and analysis from water efficiency retrofitting trials carried out in about 7,000 properties across the UK 18

Domestic retrofitting In February 2010, Waterwise published the first report of Phase II of the Evidence Base, containing results and analysis from water efficiency retrofitting trials carried out in about 7,000 properties across the UK. Some of the key findings from the Phase II interim Evidence Base report include: n Water consumption can be reduced by up to 42 litres per property per day by converting toilets to dual-flush, installing water-efficient showerheads and tap inserts, and engaging customers to encourage behaviour change; n The results show uptake of between 6 per cent and 60 per cent has been achieved. Further work is required to determine the optimal uptake/ investment ratio which is the level that should be aimed for when the cost of the tools to achieve uptake – letters, telephone calls and door-knocking – are considered; n The costs of carrying out water efficiency retrofitting in the nine trials ranges from £49 to £240 per property.

These costs are typical and would apply if the trials were scaled up to projects targeting tens of thousands of homes; n The report uses a Waterwise model, which is compatible with the Energy Saving Trust’s work on hot water, to estimate the carbon emissions and energy savings achievable through water efficiency retrofitting targeting hot water in addition to cold water.

Retrofitting schools The second report of Phase II of the Evidence Base drew on evidence from about 600 schools. This report – the first of its kind – shows the water savings that

can be achieved from retrofitting schools. The report showed what these savings cost to deliver, and what carbon emissions and energy savings can be obtained by reducing hot water consumption. The results were analysed in order to understand how future water company activity may be informed by the work that has already taken place.

Waterwise produced this report in December 2010 from raw data provided by Severn Trent Water and Thames Water, in addition to case studies provided by Business Stream, Southern Water and the Environment Agency. Findings from the analysis include: n Mean water savings of between 0.52 and 3.13m3 per day are achievable through retrofitting schools; n The cost of water savings in schools ranges from £0.41 to £0.72 per litre per day. This compares very favourably to the cost of water savings achievable through domestic retrofit; n Significant carbon emissions and energy savings are achievable from retrofitting schools; n The single most significant source of hot water savings in schools comes from increasing the efficiency of use of hot taps; n There is a minority of very poorly performing schools which could be helped to reduce their water bills and be the source of very large water savings for the water companies.

The report also presented some specific recommendations for how water companies could make their water efficiency activities in schools more cost-effective: n Employing the Department for Education and Schools (DfES) water consumption benchmarking tool and focusing on bottom quartile schools in place of randomly chosen ones could lead to a 78 per cent improvement in water savings and a 62 per cent reduction in the cost of water savings. These results would seem to justify the use of benchmarking in targeting future activities; n Comparison of the water savings achieved in primary schools versus secondary schools shows that secondary schools yield more cost-effective savings, even though on average the cost of retrofitting secondary schools is higher. This indicates strongly that economies of scale are achievable and that water companies should consider targeting large secondary schools ahead of primary schools.

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

The future – phase III of the Evidence Base In order to give priority to areas that the water companies, regulators, policymakers and other stakeholders consider most important, Waterwise has developed a strategy for the Evidence Base. This strategy, ratified by the Evidence Base Steering Group, sets out attractive options for the project to broaden its scope during Phase III, beginning April 2011.

These priorities include encompassing other types of water efficiency programmes such as: engaging with businesses; rainwater harvesting and water re-use for non-domestic customers; metering programmes; and understanding how best to influence customers’ behaviour. It also considers how to align the aims of the Evidence Base more closely with the needs of water industry regulation.

The goal is to expand the Evidence Base as a project which disseminates robust, science-based research, and advance understanding of how society can resolve the problems of ever-increasing scarcity of water, a growing population and more waterintense lifestyles.

The project has been guided by the Evidence Base Steering Group, which meets quarterly and consists of members drawn from the former Water Saving Group: Defra, DCLG, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, CCWater and several water companies.

The Steering Group helps ensure that the project is relevant to industry stakeholders, and will continue to be an important part of the project as we move into Phase III.

The goal is to expand the Evidence Base as a project which disseminates robust, sciencebased research, and advance understanding of how society can resolve the problems of ever-increasing scarcity of water

www.waterwise.org.uk

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

19

Corporate view

Constraints on water become an issue for the boardroom The Carbon Disclosure Project launched a report on the impact of water constraints on the world’s largest corporations, illustrating the significance and immediacy of water as a corporate issue

C

Water security is already high on the corporate agenda, with 67 per cent reporting responsibility for waterrelated issues at the board or executive committee level 20

DP Water Disclosure sent its first annual questionnaire to 302 of the world’s largest companies asking for information on their water use and other water-related business issues.

It received a 50 per cent response rate, with 122 of these responding publicly and a further 25 companies responding on a purely voluntary basis.

The information was requested on behalf of 137 institutional investors representing US$16 trillion in assets to increase transparency and accountability on water scarcity and other water-related issues, and to inform the global marketplace on investment risks and commercial opportunities. The data will provide valuable insight into the strategies deployed by many of the largest companies in the world in relation to water use and will be used to help drive sustainability.

The report, prepared by Environmental Resource Management (ERM), shows that water is already having an impact on business operations, with 96 per cent of responding companies able to identify whether or not they are exposed to water risk and more than half of those reporting risks classifying them as current or near-term (1-5 years). Thirty-nine per cent of companies are already experiencing detrimental impacts relating to water, including disruption to operations from drought or flooding, declining water quality necessitating costly onsite pre-treatment, and increases in water prices – as well as fines and litigation relating to pollution incidents.

Water security is already high on the corporate agenda, with 67 per cent reporting responsibility for water-related issues at the board or executive committee level. The majority of companies (89 per cent) have already developed specific water policies, strategies and plans, and 60 per cent have set waterrelated performance targets.

Other CDP Water Disclosure report key findings: n Business engagement on water issues differs widely across different industry sectors; 100 per cent of companies in the chemicals sector responded compared with just 29 per cent in the oil & gas and construction, infrastructure & real estate sectors. n Responses were received from companies in a total

of 25 countries, with the most responses coming from the USA (59, 57 per cent responding), the UK (14, 64 per cent responding) and Japan (13, 45 per cent responding). The highest response rates were from South Africa (100 per cent), Germany (83 per cent) and Switzerland (71 per cent); n A high number of corporations (62 per cent) are identifying a wide range of water-related business opportunities in areas such as water management, water efficiency and reduction, and wastewater treatment; n Just 53 per cent of companies are able to identify whether they are exposed to water risks in their supply chains, as opposed to the high levels of awareness (96 per cent) of water risks in their own operations; n Sectors reporting the greatest exposure to water risks include food, beverage & tobacco and metals & mining, with chemicals and technology & communications the least exposed. Physical risks to direct operations from drought and flooding were most frequently cited, but companies also recognise risks from changing regulations and reputational damage; n Companies exhibiting best practice in water management include Anglo American, ColgatePalmolive, Ford, GE, PG&E and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.

The launch of CDP Water Disclosure’s first report along with the availability of individual company responses at www.cdproject.net gives investors, companies, governments and other interested stakeholders a wealth of information on companies’ water usage, the water-related risks and opportunities in their operations and supply chains, and their water management plans and performance targets.

Welcoming the launch of the first report, Jacqueline McGlade at the European Environment Agency said: “Climate change is altering global water availability, meaning greater scarcity in some regions and more flooding in others. Such changes demand that we adapt our infrastructure and our consumption. It is encouraging to see in the Water Disclosure Report that many corporations have already started taking concrete measures. But we must facilitate this process

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

by developing appropriate standards and tools to measure corporate water use and impacts across the whole supply chain.”

Carbon Disclosure Project executive chairman Paul Dickinson, speaking at the launch, said: “This data provides valuable insight into the strategies deployed by many of the largest companies in the world in relation to water and is a first step in helping drive investment towards sustainable water use.

“The changing availability of water resource is presenting opportunities to business through demand for new infrastructure, products and services and now is the time to seize these opportunities, address water challenges and build resilience – not once the well has run dry.”

Gregory Wade, global chief supply chain officer for global brewer Molson Coors, a lead sponsor of CDP Water Disclosure, said: “Transparency must serve as the cornerstone for stimulating integrated watershed resource management and CDP Water Disclosure is perfectly positioned to normalise best practice and mediate between investors and companies in valuing risks and opportunities. As we move forward, companies must accept the responsibility for their own transparency and join in this effort to help advance what will hopefully emerge as a common water reporting standard benefiting all stakeholders.”

Anne Kvam, global head of ownership strategies, Norges Bank Investment Management, a lead sponsor of the programme, said: “As a diversified investor with a long-term outlook and investments in a range of sectors at risk from increasingly scarce water resources, we take water management seriously. Companies that fail to consider the impact of water scarcity and other

water-related risks pose a financial risk to investments.”

Demand for water has risen and is now projected to outstrip supply by up to 40 per cent by 2030.

Approximately 80 per cent of the world’s population already live in areas where fresh water supply is not secure.

As the climate changes, assuring global water security for both humans and ecosystems will increasingly present opportunities to business through demand for new infrastructure, products and services.

It will also bring risks including physical disruptions to operations and supply chains, changing regulatory regimes and reputational damage from misuse, or perceived misuse, of what is a shared resource.

The full report can be downloaded at www.cdproject.net.

Companies that fail to consider the impact of water scarcity and other water-related risks pose a financial risk to investments

CDP Water Disclosure CDP Water Disclosure is part of CDP, an independent not-for-profit organisation holding the largest database of primary corporate climate change information in the world. CDP Water Disclosure provides critical data in relation to water from the world’s largest corporations to inform the global market place on investment risk and commercial opportunity. This data will provide valuable insight into the strategies deployed by many of the largest companies in the world in relation to water and will be used to help drive investment towards sustainable water use. www.cdproject.net/water-disclosure

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

21

Product focus: flow controllers

Small changes, big difference The WTL looks at how flow controllers are a simple and effective way to reduce water consumption

B

usinesses in the UK currently use around 9.8 billion cubic metres of water a year. They could use nearly a third less, which would save a much-needed £10 million a day. This is not only pouring money down the drain, but can also have a serious detrimental effect on a company’s reputation.

One such example is when, in 2005, coffee chain Starbucks hit the headlines when it was found to be running taps all day to rinse utensils. A newspaper investigation found that the company was pouring away 23.4 million litres of water every day across the company’s outlets, despite claiming strong green credentials. This resulted in a great deal of negative media coverage and criticism from experts and the public alike .

This is an extreme example of how lack of consideration for an important resource can have a negative impact on businesses – and not just from a cost perspective. Using water sensibly and efficiently can avoid reputation loss and improve stakeholder relations.

Water is one of the resources we pay for twice; once when turning the tap on and again for sewerage and disposal costs 22

Go with the flow Improving water efficiency may seem daunting at first.

However, it does not need to be a time-consuming or ambitious project because making small changes can make a big difference to the amount of water that is wasted. One of the more obvious ways of saving water is to repair dripping taps and ensure that they are not being run for longer than is necessary. Investing in water-saving technologies can reduce water wastage even further. Flow controllers, for example, maintain a constant water pressure and control the length of time a tap runs. This ensures that taps are not left on when not in use and that the water pressure is appropriate for the purpose.

For many businesses, the prospect of refitting washrooms, kitchen facilities and other more industrial water-using devices may seem like a costly endeavour that is unlikely to see returns for a considerable length of time. However, savings made by addressing waste water can often be seen in the short term.

Water is one of the few resources we pay for twice; once when turning the tap on and again for sewerage and disposal costs.

The cost of water flow devices and other water saving devices has been made more manageable by the Government’s Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme. The ECA allows businesses to write off the whole cost of the equipment against taxable profits in the year of purchase. The technologies that qualify under the ECA scheme can be found online through the Water Technology List (WTL) at www.businesslink. gov.uk/wtl.

For businesses embarking on water-saving measures, flow controllers in kitchens and washrooms are a good place to start. Flow controllers can be split into two categories: control devices, which are used to shut off flow after a set time or when the stimulus is gone (for example, motion sensors), and flow limiting devices, which maintain a consistent flow of water over a variety of pressures.

Control devices such as ‘wave-on’ infrared sensors to flush toilets are becoming increasingly familiar in public conveniences as a means of saving water and improving hygiene.

Smaller washrooms, such as those in office buildings, can also benefit from this technology. Research has found that every UK office worker uses 35 litres of water every day, and over 80 per cent of this is accounted for in the washrooms. Therefore, the financial benefits of reducing water use for every member of staff and visitor are obvious.

Further savings can be made by limiting the amount of water used in sinks by using technologies such as time-delay tap fittings, which only release water when pressed. Wave-on sensors and time-delay fittings are two systems listed on the WTL. As cycling into work becomes increasingly popular, many workplaces are supporting staff by installing shower facilities in washrooms. Businesses considering such installations can make savings on their running costs by reducing the water flow rate.

Again, technologies such as aerated and low-flow showerheads are listed on the WTL. Although offices have plenty to gain from saving water, workplaces with higher water demands have even greater scope for saving.

Water control West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen has a large water demand. A survey of water use by Water Management Solutions UK at the hospital found that, typical of buildings built in the 1960s, the taps at West Wales General had a flow rate averaging 14 litres/ minute and showers using up to 18 litres/minute, as well as high levels of wastage in toilets and urinals.

One solution that offered immediate savings across all the facilities was a Cottam & Preedy Wondervalve. This an isolation valve (a type of flow controller), that allows precise control of the amount of water delivered to the taps and other outlets. This limited the flow rate to 6 litres per minute and was quick to fit, which reduced the amount of disruption to hospital activities.

West Wales General reduced its water consumption from taps by two-thirds, demonstrating the value of

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

flow-limiting devices that maintain a maximum flow rate.

The hospital is only one of 17 in the Hywel Dda Health Board that has used the Wondervalve to successfully reduce the amount of water used in washrooms. The benefits to the health board of minimising water use at the hospital have included an annual cost saving of £21,460. This saving included an 8,100m3 reduction in water consumption and energy related cost savings of almost £4,000.

The Wondervalve was installed in all public areas and throughout the hospital wards. First, a pilot test was conducted at each site. Valves were independently tested for microbacterial deposits by the hospital and on all counts were given a clean bill of health.

Additionally, there is no compromise to any area of health and safety with regards to hand wash and cleaning.

No more waste Taking small steps can bring big benefits. Tap aerators, for example, have long been used in hotels to save money by reducing the amount of water used in rooms. Office washrooms can have similar water demands as a hotel bathroom and a good aerator can reduce water use to 5 litres per minute. Although this flow rate is adequate for hand-washing purposes, many taps greatly exceed this flow, wasting water and money unnecessarily. Taps left running and dripping can result in major water loss and greater cost, particularly if they are wasting hot water.

Indeed, with more than 9.8 billion cubic metres being used nationally each year, there is significant potential for businesses to save money and reduce their environmental impact by taking action on water efficiency.

As well as the flow control devices mentioned in this article, many water-efficient products exist to reduce water waste. Simple methods can often have low payback periods as products such as isolating ball valves, flow restrictors, spray taps or tap aerators could reduce flow at low capital costs.

By buying products listed on the WTL, businesses can write off 100 per cent of the cost against taxable profits in the year of purchase, which in difficult economic times will make environmental improvements even more attractive.

For more information on the technologies available under the ECA scheme and for details of products on the WTL visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/wtl or call 0844 875 5885.

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

23

Rainwater harvesting

It’s time we started adopting the right attitude to water Lutz Johnen, managing director of Aquality Trading & Consulting and chairman of the UK-RHA

A

s we approach the anniversary of the devastating floods in the summer of 2007, which saw 14 people lose their lives and accounted for £3.2 billion of damage, is the UK doing enough in changing its approach to water management? And what role can rainwater harvesting play?

Many commentators suggest 2007 was not a one-off and that we can expect to see more extreme weather events such as this in the future. The Centre of Ecology and Hydrology described the flooding as “remarkable in its extent and severity” but went on to warn that such flooding could occur at any time, highlighting Britain’s vulnerability to extreme weather incidents.

The environment is high on the media and public agenda but what’s actually being done to help mitigate

24

against such future incidents? It’s fair to say that solar, wind turbines and even ground source heat pumps have all rapidly grown with government support, but for rainwater harvesting to gain more traction, there needs to be a step change in the public’s approach and attitude to water.

Commonly, and perhaps not surprisingly, it is widely believed that our climate is a wet one and, as a result, water has not been treated as a precious resource. It is assumed to be in plentiful supply and it is taken for granted that it will endlessly flow into our homes at the turn of a tap. Such complacency is further fuelled by the fact that water, compared with power, is relatively cheap and there is no penalty for excessive use, with only 22 per cent of properties currently being metered.

The early summer of 2010 saw the first water

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

restrictions in the UK for four years following a very dry spring. Surprisingly, the restrictions, which included the closure of the Leeds-Liverpool canal, were imposed in the North-west where rainfall is above average and, most notably, where there had been widespread flooding only months previously.

A single dry season had been sufficient to stress the water supply.

Further worrying evidence contained in a report by the Environment Agency in October 2008 warns that Britain’s rivers, which provide 70 per cent of our water, will drop by 10 to 15 per cent in volume within 40 years. With the population forecast to increase by 20 million by 2050, the two statistics do not sit well together; less water for more people.

Looking forward, the scenario is complex but what is clear is that we have to change the way we think about water and manage it better in preparation for times of more and for times of less. The challenge is not an easy one and will require careful, proactive management and strategic planning in order to get the balance right.

Certainly, the answer is one where rainwater harvesting has a significant role to play.

Although there is currently no funding in the UK directly aimed at the installation of rainwater harvesting technology, new directives – such as the Code for Sustainable Homes, announced by the government in 2008, and the commercial equivalent BREEAM – are encouraging.

The Code for Sustainable Homes has been introduced to drive a step-change in sustainable home building practice to both reduce water used and manage what is used more effectively. As a quarter of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions in 2004 came from the energy we use to heat, light and run our homes, we cannot continue to ignore such figures.

The Code aims to guide the industry in the design and construction of sustainable homes. Operating through a phased approach, the ultimate target is that all new-builds will be sustainable homes by 2016.

Housebuilders are being encouraged to follow the Code’s guidelines because, although compliance is currently voluntary, it is likely that the government will make the standards mandatory in the future, and not complying may make obtaining planning permission more difficult.

Of the nine categories the Code uses to measure the sustainability of a home, the water (WAT1) and surface

It is widely believed that our climate is a wet one and, as a result, water has not been treated as a precious resource

water run-off (SUR1) categories are most relevant to the use of rainwater harvesting.

Concentrating first on WAT1, the Code states that by 2016 water meters will be mandatory and all new dwellings should reduce the daily reliance on piped water down to 80 litres from the current average of 150 litres of potable water per person per day.

To achieve this standard, along with reducing the amount of water a toilet, shower, dishwasher and washing machine use, 30 per cent of the water requirement of the home is to be provided by nonpotable sources such as rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling systems.

In an attempt to reduce flooding risk, SUR1 states that peak run-off rates and annual volumes of runoff will be no greater than the previous conditions for the development site. Two-thirds of the 57,000 homes affected by the 2007 floods were flooded due to surface water runoff overloading drainage systems; furthermore, 80,000 properties are deemed to be currently at very high risk of surface water flooding.

According to a report by Michael Croften-Briggs, chief planner in Oxford, surface water run-off caused half the town’s flooding in 2007 and he expresses concerns in his report that the 8,000 new homes planned by 2030 will only exacerbate the situation.

Hopefully, if the SUR1 requirements are upheld, his fears may subside.

One of the principal benefits of installing rainwater harvesting technology in new houses is that it helps hold surface water run-off on site and in turn uses it for washing machines, toilets and irrigation systems rather than flowing directly into drains. Rainwater harvesting will most likely be used alongside greywater recycling technology, which recycles used water from showers and wash basins for other household uses, in order to meet the Code’s requirement while producing sufficient water supply.

Although the Code is a positive step towards sustainable living, rainwater harvesting in the UK is still in its infancy and lagging behind the rest of Europe.

Currently around 3,000 systems are installed each year in the UK. By comparison, the industry in Germany is approaching the installation of 100,000 units per year.

New products are now reaching the UK market such as the German designed Eco-Compac, which uses a 24 volt low energy pump that also brings greater energy efficiency. The Eco-Compac is easy to install and ideal for new houses which need to comply with CSH water and energy efficiency requirements. Importantly the system also brings savings of 50 per cent on household water demand and is proven to significantly reduce surface water run-off from the site.

It would be true to say lessons have been learned from the 2007 floods and we are certainly heading along the right track. However, before the UK can fully grasp and integrate rainwater harvesting technologies into developments, the first hurdle that must first be overcome is a change in attitude of the UK consumers, businesses and planner to this most critical of resources.

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

Lessons have been learned from the 2007 floods and we are certainly heading along the right track

www.ukrha.org

25

The Green Deal

The Green Deal – more potential for savings There is a lot of interest in how water could fit alongside energy in the government’s new Green Deal. Waterwise managing director Jacob Tompkins argues the case for the inclusion of water in the retrofit scheme

F Waterwise is pushing for as many waterefficient devices as possible to be included in the financial package 26

or those who don’t know the Green Deal, in it householders who take out an eco-loan will be offered an energy retrofit package, which will be repaid by savings on the household energy bill. This loan will be attached to the house, not the householder. The offer will come from a range of financial institutions and high street names. There is still a huge amount of work going into the detail of the scheme but our understanding is that DECC and Defra are both keen for water to be included in some way.

There is a government commitment, repeated in a recent Defra response to the Select Committee, to finance measures that provide hot water through this scheme, provided they meet the golden rule that the payback justifies the investment. In addition, the advice which will be given to consumers prior to

their taking on a Green Deal plan will include wider information about the steps they can take to improve the sustainability of their homes, including on water efficiency.

This means that things like water-efficient boilers and showers can be included in the financial offering. Unfortunately, as there is no potential saving on the energy bill, water butts and toilets are not included. There are also questions over water-efficient showerheads, as these could potentially be removed when people move house – which means they may not meet the payback requirements.

However, Waterwise has shown that the payback on showerheads is very short, so there is a strong argument that they should be included regardless.

As well, there is still a debate around devices such as

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

water-saving tap inserts which are very cheap, can save hot water, and would be difficult to remove.

Waterwise is pushing for as many water-efficient devices as possible to be included in the financial package. However, all water-saving devices, even those that don’t directly save energy – the embedded energy in the water is not considered – are being considered in the wider (non-financial) Green Deal package; there is an opportunity for a water retrofit to be an added extra offering for the householder.

This could be funded by the installer, finance company, or by a third party such as a water company, and accommodated through a link to the regulatory system for water companies.

Water efficiency is key Including water makes financial sense. The Green Deal will include measures such as insulation, which can cost many thousands of pounds per household. Including water efficiency measures, such as showers and taps, would only cost on average £50 per household and would save 300kWh per household per year.

A retrofit of taps and showers under the Green Deal would pay back on energy bills in only the third year. For homes which are metered for water (currently one-third of homes in England, a quarter in Wales, and a negligible number in Scotland) the payback would be within the first year. This places water efficiency measures firmly within the remit of

the golden rule, which states that the repayment cost of measures installed must not exceed the estimated annual energy savings on fuel bills over the financing period, and will determine which measures attract Green Deal finance. A link to water metering in homes could be used to increase the financial savings from water efficiency by reducing water bills as well as energy bills – and as such could be used make the Green Deal package more attractive to the individual householder.

A modular approach would ensure that Green Deal suppliers can easily slot the water efficiency element into their household offer. Training for installers on installation (and the advice given alongside this) could be provided and accredited – depending on the existing skill level. This need only take from half a day to a week.

Information, literature and training on water efficiency advice for both the surveyor and supporting phone line operatives could also be standalone. The same is true of the products themselves, which cost between £10 (tap inserts only) and around £35 (showers, taps and toilets), and could be funded as a module by a provider of the water element of a Green Deal package, such as a water company.

This means there are a number of opportunities for joint water and energy work, from advice to measures.

The next step is to include them in the Green Deal, before the opportunity is lost.

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

A retrofit of taps and showers under the Green Deal would pay back on energy bills in only the third year. For homes metered for water the payback would be within the first year

www.waterwise.org.uk

27

Case study

Don't waste liquid assets The Crowne Plaza Liverpool at John Lennon Airport demonstrates the cost savings and environmental benefits that can be achieved by reducing water use

T

he Crowne Plaza Liverpool recently installed efficient aerated showerheads and flow controllers as part of a wider programme to reduce the amount of water used in its washrooms and kitchen area.

The hotel estimates that the benefits of it taking action to minimise water use will include: n A reduction in mains water use of 10,165 m3/year n A reduction in energy use of 315,673 kWh/year n A reduction in CO2 emissions of more than 65 tonnes/year n Total cost savings of £21,000/year The Crowne Plaza Hotel, which is situated in the original airport building in Speke, Liverpool, is owned

by Kew Green Hotels. Kew Green Hotels is continually trying to find ways of reducing its carbon emissions.

With costs rising, it enlisted the help of Low-E UK to identify ways of reducing its water and energy consumption.

A comprehensive assessment of the hotel found showers to have a flow rate of 20 litres/minute and taps 16 litres/minute. Cistern displacement devices were already in place in the toilets, but the kitchen and public areas were identified as using excessive amounts of water.

“It was important that the product we invested in was fit for our hotel brand…

Our customers’ satisfaction is paramount” 28

Water-saving solution From the data collected, Low-E UK put together a package of water-saving products which included the installation of Oxygenics Showerheads (with a <9 litres/minute flow rate) and Perlator Honeycomb Longlife tap aerators (with a <5.5 litres/minute flow rate). In addition, pre-rinse sprayers for the kitchen area, urinal controls and automatic infrared sensor taps for the public areas were fitted.

All of these water-saving devices were easily retrofitted and provided considerable water savings and, due to the reduction in hot water usage, a considerable energy and carbon saving. It was imperative that the solutions for water saving didn’t negatively affect the experience of guests and that the showerheads had a multi-function spray option, as this is a brand requirement for the Intercontinental Hotel Group of which Crowne Plaza is part.

The Oxygenics system is based on the Venturi Principle of fluid mechanics; as water enters the base of the showerhead, it is propelled through an accelerator to increase the velocity of the water flow, thus retaining the power-shower feel associated with a Crowne Plaza Hotel. The water is then directed through a channel where oxygen is injected into it, improving the power and drenching effect of the shower.

Flow-limiting devices are designed to produce a constant flow of water through a product such as a tap or tap outlet, over a range of pressures. These devices are available from the government’s Water Technology List (WTL) which promotes products that encourage sustainable water use and rewards businesses for investing in them through the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme.

Satisfied customers “It was important that the product we invested in was fit for our hotel brand,” says Kew Green Hotels Group property manager Kris Legg.

“Our customers’ satisfaction is paramount.

Performance from the Oxygenics Showerheads is outstanding and the multi-function heads fit in with our brand requirement. We have been extremely satisfied with the service provided by Low-E UK and look forward to working together again in the future.”

The Crowne Plaza was keen to invest in products which could show a return within three years. The estimated payback has actually been less than 250 days, with predicted water and energy saving costs of £94,000 over five years.

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

Water bills

Water: the forgotten utility

W

CMR Consultants are able to recover historic overcharges and achieve significant cost reductions

hen organisations look to improve their energy efficiency and reduce costs, water often appears a long way down the agenda. Water as a utility is often perceived to be an inexpensive cost when compared with gas and electricity.

However, with ever-rising water company charges and a growing requirement to reduce consumption and environmental impact, organisations can no longer afford to take this view.

As Mark Walton, water consultant at CMR Consultants, explains: “Despite being the ‘forgotten utility’, investigating water consumption and costs can often unearth hidden savings and efficiency opportunities. In addition, it can also lessen an organisation’s impact on the environment.”

In principle, water costs are relatively simple, i.e. customers receive a charge for the water supplied to their site and then a corresponding charge for the wastewater taken away.

Unfortunately, in reality business customer charges are often much more complex. In addition to standard water and wastewater charges, business customers must also pay for other costs, such as surface water drainage removal and trade effluent disposal.

As Mark explains: “It is important for organisations to understand the charges on their invoices. For example, are they sure they are only paying for the services used and being charged the most cost-effective rates?

The only way to be certain of this is to invest time in analysing and understanding their bills.

“But even if organisations have the time and human resource to do this, the complexity and structure of a typical water bill often makes this an uphill battle.

Charges are rarely presented in a simple, customerfriendly format, they are often difficult to interpret and vary considerably from region to region.”

Water companies are also notorious for raising inaccurate bills. These are often a result of incorrect inherited records from local authorities (when the water companies were formed), or genuine mistakes inherent in organisations with a large customer base.

Mark explains: “Identifying where these overcharges are occurring is not always easy. Understandably, most managers or accounts teams who are responsible for paying the bills simply check them to ensure they add up correctly.

“However, it is not the accuracy of the arithmetic that needs to be considered, but whether the charges accurately represent the services being provided.

“With all these factors to consider, extensive expertise and knowledge is required to assess the charges and then challenge the water companies to correct errors that are found. Organisations can either do this in-house

or look to a water consultancy for assistance.

“With over 20 years’ experience in the water industry, CMR Consultants are able to recover historic overcharges and achieve significant cost reductions, allowing companies to invest their resource in other areas of their business.

“We also offer solutions to deliver sustainable reductions in water usage, such as rainwater harvesting, recycling and wastewater treatment, increasing a company’s green credentials and improving water efficiency.

“CMR Consultants’ water consultancy service begins with a free desktop audit to identify any potential savings or refund opportunities.

Customers can then enter into a shared savings agreement so they only pay participation fees from either the savings made or revenue recovered.”

CMR Consultants Limited Studley Point, 88 Birmingham Road, Studley, Warwickshire, B80 7AS T +44 (0) 844 225 1166 F +44 (0) 844 225 1151 E info@cmrgroup.co.uk W www.cmrgroup.co.uk

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

29

Flow control – NEOPERL

Flow control for taps & showers

I Typical Neoperl universal flow controlled Aerator Kit

NEOPERL has been producing flow control devices for tap ware for over 50 years with the aim of conserving and protecting the environment 30

n times of global warming we should all contribute to reducing greenhouse gases emissions and help save water and energy. By simply choosing the right products it is easy to save water in bath, shower and kitchen without the loss of comfort.

Several countries have already introduced measures on water conservation. In the US, the ASME Standard A112.18.1 M Plumbing Fixture Fittings sets maximum flow rates for faucets and showers, and in Europe, the European Standard EN 246, among others, sets out Typical Noeperl aerator flow control (PCA) vs restricted aerator general specifications for flow rates of sanitary tap ware.

Elsewhere, the Australian government introduced the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme, kits have been developed to offer alternative providing water efficiency information to consumers replacement to the original equipment (stream at point of purchase and encouraging the uptake of straightener) supplied by the tap manufacturer water-efficient products in households, including tap without the need to replace the original tap ware. NEOPERL is making a major contribution to water housing or gasket. conservation around the world. As a supplier of the In itself this is carbon-efficient, as each new global plumbing industry, NEOPERL has been producing chrome-plated housing has an impact on our flow control devices for tap ware for over 50 years with environment. The kits have all of the benefits the aim of conserving and protecting the environment, associated with the generic NEOPERL PCA aerators especially our valuable drinking water. The spectrum of and can be custom-packaged to suit clients’ target products is continuously expanding and includes flow markets to include client branding. regulators, check valves, flexible hoses and diverters.

The kits come in environmentally friendly packaging with simple-to-follow fitting instructions The NEOPERL flow control technology shapes and and can be offered with a bespoke wrench to controls the flow of water make the job quick and easy. Whole-house kits can Many of the conventional water-saving restrictor type be offered which include multiple aerator inserts, products just restrict the flow rate. When the line e.g. for cloakrooms, main bathrooms and showers, pressure is low, hardly any water comes out of the tap. which may all require different flow rate delivery.

On the other hand, when the line pressure is high too In order to make the flow rate selection much water is delivered and water and the subsequent as easy as possible, NEOPERL introduced the related energy is wasted. NEOPERL PCA aerators always WATERCOLOURS colour-coding system for aerators, provide the specified constant flow rate irrespective of which allows easy visual identification of the pressure fluctuations. aerator model.

When the pressure is high, the aerator ensures no All in all, these products amount to simple, water is wasted, and at low pressures there is still plenty innovative solutions offered by the world’s of water to feel comfortable when washing or bathing. foremost market leader in stream control and Similar technology is available for showering where a water-saving technology for taps and showers.

NEOPERL flow control can be introduced to the supply NEOPERL UK LTD line to offer the same comfort to shower users without A NEOPERL Group wasting water and the subsequent associated energy. company The products are offered both for the replacement Nimrod Works, market and for tap manufacturers. Replacement of a Enigma Park, stream straightener with a NEOPERL PCA water saver is Malvern, easy: simply unscrew the housing from the faucet and Worcestershire replace with a NEOPERL PCA model of adequate size.

WR 14 1GH Incredibly, the NEOPERL PCA aerators not only shape the T +44 16 84 56 48 69 F +44 16 84 58 48 47 flow of water and minimise plumbing system noise, but E info@neoperl.co.uk also help in reducing water and energy costs.

For further information about NEOPERL, its Unique packaged retrofit aerator flow control To simplify the solution, NEOPERL has developed a unique to the market range of packaged kits. The

products, the dedicated NEOPERL global locations and contacts around the world, visit www.neoperl.net

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

Water efficiency

An integrated approach to water efficiency

Thinking Water? Think Aqualogic!

Providing expertise in all areas of water efficiency and demand management, from the supply and installation of water-saving technologies through to strategy development and assistance, Aqualogic can deliver the total water efficiency package to all its customers and stakeholders. Working closely with utility providers and their customers, Aqualogic provides a seamless service that ensures all partners are able to benefit from an integrated approach.

Data collection Aqualogic has enhanced its services by introducing a range of supporting services including AMR and data display software with site management, monitoring and alerting.

Using industry-leading technology, Aqualogic aims to provide the best available solutions to its customers, preventing leakage, waste and reducing the potential for unplanned costs.

Aqualogic can deliver the total water efficiency package to all its customers and stakeholders

Quality assured Maintaining a primary focus on water saving is paramount within Aqualogic, as is ensuring quality, safety and environmental diligence.

Accredited in 2010 to BS EN standard in all three disciplines, the company is committed to bringing its

customers the results that it pledges to deliver.

Water-saving devices Built on over 30 years of experience designing, supplying and installing products, Aqualogic has an impressive portfolio of water-saving devices ranging from aerated showers, tap aerators, dual flush conversion kits and urinal controls to a variety of infrared and self-closing taps. Using the best of the best available from the industry’s top manufacturers, every product is designed with minimum disruption and cost in mind.

For further details on Aqualogic products and services, please visit www.aqualogic-wc.com or call 0844 324 0844.

Aqualogic Ltd Conservation House, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral, CH44 6QJ T 0844 324 0844 E waterefficiency@aqualogic-wc.com W www.aqualogic-wc.com BS EN Integrated Management System (IMS).

ISO 9001 : ISO 14001 : OHSAS 18001 Cert Number: 8075

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

31

Washroom control – Dart Valley Systems

Cost-effective solutions for reducing water

D

art Valley Systems offers a comprehensive range of water-saving products coupled with unrivalled expertise in providing costeffective water-efficient solutions for washrooms.

WC flushing saves 30 per cent The no-touch WC Flush valve is the most robust and reliable WC Flushing device and was awarded ‘Enterprise 2000 Innovation and Technology Award’.

The product saves 30-40 per cent water retrofitted to old larger cisterns. The WC Flush valve is on the Water Technology list and other benefits include robustness, hygiene, ease of use and aesthetics.

Urinal controls save 80 per cent DVS offer a broad spectrum of urinal flushing solutions, including biological sleeves, cleaner deodoriser sleeves, individual sensing urinal controls, PIR group controls, wall-mounted or flush ceiling-mounted. The Flushmatic controller was awarded ‘Best Environmental Product in Australia’. For most applications where the cisterns continually fill and flush, the PIR systems suit retrofit and are economical to install, saving around 80 per cent of water and keeping the bowls freshest.

Automatic taps save 65 per cent No-Touch automatic taps provide the most convenient water-efficient solution for handwashing, saving 50-65 per cent water. Other benefits include ease of use, safe pre-set water temperature, hygiene and aesthetics.

Self-closing push taps save 40 per cent The self-closing push taps are more hygienic than twist or lever taps as after washing hands they shut off without further contact, saving 40 per cent water. It is critical to have these taps in public toilets and areas to ensure users do not leave taps running. Toggle levers are available for ease of use for young children or disabled.

Dart Valley Systems offers a comprehensive range of watersaving products 32

High standards set at Heathrow Terminal 5 DVS has built a reputation for flexibility and responding to customer requirements, and were ready to meet the expectations of the BAA design team, who had a clear vision of what they wanted to achieve for Terminal 5 at Heathrow. Following the successful installation of other Heathrow terminals, Dart Valley Systems has supplied WC Flush valves, urinal controls and automatic taps to Terminal 5 to provide strict control of water use.

There was a high level of confidence in the reliability of DVS products and service support, which had been experienced over the past 15 years. This was confirmed

by Kelly Stone, the BAA engineering leader on the team. The working relationship between BAA and DVS, sharing experiences and ideas that influence product improvements, has resulted in the development of optimum water-saving products now available as part of DVS standard range.

Lloyds TSB flushed with success Lloyds TSB has a number of key steps in place to manage the organisation’s impact on the environment; among these is a focus of water efficiency and tackling those buildings in its portfolio which have the highest water usage per capita on each site. A two-year project started in 2004 which identified 500 sites where water use exceeded 15 cu m per capita year.

Working with Dart Valley Systems, the company commissioned the installation of DVS Flushmatic Urinal Controls and more than 300 were installed in relevant stores. Chris Wilson of Lloyds TSB said: ‘’We were delighted to achieve average reductions of as much as 50 per cent per branch, bringing water use per employee down to 7 cu m per year.’’

Good design in washrooms Water efficiency in washrooms does not mean reducing hygiene and with good design and optimum product selection toilets can be significantly upgraded while simultaneously saving water.

Dart Valley Systems Ltd Kemmings Close, Long Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7TW T 01803 529021 F 01803 559016 E sales@dartvalley.co.uk W www.dartvalley.co.uk Trade associations Constructionline, IHEEM Standards ISO EN 9001ISOEN 14001art

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

Washroom control – Douglas Delabie Ltd

Ecological or economical washroom control solution An ecological choice – conserving a natural resource With underground water reserves threatened by a large increase in water consumption, water is becoming a rare, unpredictable and unevenly distributed resource.

An economical choice – cutting the cost of your water The rise in water consumption and energy costs is reflected in the cost of collection and processing of water – and in the cost of water treatment and wastewater collection. For many organisations, the selection of washbasin or shower controls is often left to a subcontractor with little or no input required. Increasing awareness of sustainability, the escalating cost of water and energy, plus the drive for carbon reduction, offer a new solution in providing a better-built environment.

Douglas Delabie water controls ensure you will significantly reduce the cost of your water and energy bills, while contributing to the conservation of a precious resource – and reducing your organisation’s own carbon footprint.

Douglas Delabie water controls ensure you will significantly reduce the cost of your water and energy bills

Simple solutions New generation time flow and non-touch taps incorporate integral flow regulation to maximise water savings – the Tempostop delivers an economical 3 l/min. As with all Delabie taps, by using an Allen key the flow rate adjustment is quick and simple. In some public buildings where there may be the potential for deliberate abuse, the Tempostop AB allows water to flow only after the push button is released and selfcloses after 15 seconds.

For the very young or older people, the hand pressure required to operate a time flow tap can be difficult. The new generation Temposoft 2 offers ‘soft touch’ push action taps (‘twice as soft’ push action compared with other time flow taps). Self-closing after a nominal run time of 15 seconds, they prevent cross-contamination of bacteria. With new ECO flow regulators delivering 3 l/min at 3 bar, water savings of approximately 80 per cent can be achieved compared with a traditional basin tap. Other features include a scale-proof flow straightener and reinforced fixings to prevent tap swivel.

Tempomatic 4 electronic taps and mixers incorporate an anti-legionella automatic flush device, preventing water stagnation and bacteria development in the supply pipes. The device activates an automatic oneminute ‘duty flush’ cycle, 24 hours after the last use.

The new piston technology solenoid valve, with its patented design, limits bacterial development by evacuating all water after every operation, and reduces the build up of impurities within the mechanism.

Designed for most public, commercial and healthcare

applications, the Tempomatic 4 with its top-located sensor for optimised presence detection, provides automatic shut-off after hands are removed. The pre-set ECO flow rate of 3 l/min at 3 bar enables water savings of up to 80 per cent compared with traditional mixers and taps. The ECO flow rate can be adjusted at commissioning without isolating the water supply.

With electronic control, piston technology solenoid valve and 6V lithium batteries all built inside the tap body, servicing is simplified.

Tempomatic 4 products are also easy to install – PEX pipe hoses or copper tails connect the water inlets and complete the installation – without further adjustment. Servicing and maintenance are simple; batteries have an average service life of 350,000 cycles (three to five years) and can be replaced without isolating the water supply.

Safe anti-scald control Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs), independently tested and certified under the BuildCert TMV3 Scheme, are now a standard feature of modern commercial washrooms, providing safe hot water temperatures and preventing scalding.

Part G of the Building Regulations sets out the requirements for TMVs to be installed as an anti-scald device for domestic bath fill in all new homes in England and Wales. This is already included in the Building Regulations in Scotland.

With water costs continuing to rise – hot water costs between five and eight times the cost of cold water – the impact of water savings can be dramatic on high-water users’ bottom line. Effective water management and improved hygiene go hand-inhand with anti-scald safety to deliver a better built environment for building owners and users.

Douglas Delabie Ltd 7 Henderson House, Hithercroft Road, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 9DG T 01491 824449 F 01491 825727 E sales@douglasdelabie.co.uk W www.douglasdelabie.co.uk Douglas Delabie provides unique solutions to water sustainability through the production of innovative, high-quality sanitary products.

The company provides unrivalled service and support, while guaranteeing safe water temperatures and hygienic solutions.

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

33

Commercial partner – Cistermiser

Sensazone saves water waste in the washroom

“

Cistermiser’s development of the sensazone system offers an important water-saving tool for any organisation with washroom facilities 34

Water is precious. It is society’s most basic need; it is essential for life. It’s also vital to the economy. It is used to generate power, run industries, grow food – and is used in our homes.

But the future for water in England and Wales is uncertain. Increases in population and changes in lifestyle, together with climate change, mean that we need to plan for the next 40 years and beyond.

If we don’t, our society faces the real possibility of not having enough water for people and the environment” Water Resources Strategy for England and Wales, Environment Agency.

Water saving is becoming ever more important for both economic and ecological reasons. As a result, it is essential that in all sectors both new and old buildings are saving the maximum amount of water.

BREEAM [BRE Environmental Assessment Method] is now accepted by planners, specifiers, designers and developers as the premier organisation for establishing environmental sustainability for systems within buildings and this rating is a benchmark respected throughout the industry. One of the areas that BREEAM assesses is the water usage within the building and extra credits are given when water-saving equipment is installed.

Following a number of enquiries for a proximity detection shut-off device for use in washrooms in order to meet the BREEAM Wat 4 requirements, Cistermiser, a leader in water management systems, immediately set into action and developed a product that would comply with BREEAM Wat 4, shutting off the water to the washroom when not in use.

If total water shut-off seems like overkill in the average washroom, a swift look at the figures for the effects of leakage will dispel such thoughts. Taking a WC valve as an example, a small drip will result in nearly 900 litres water loss in a week, a dribble will waste over 1,500 litres a week and if, perish the thought, the valve remained fully open the loss will exceed 84,000 litres a week.

Translating that into cash on a metered water system, the drip costs over £2 per week [£100-plus a year] and a full flush situation would amount to nearly £200 a week.

Sensazone, the latest water management system from Cistermiser, is an innovative and practical method of controlling the supply of water to all the outlets in a washroom, allowing inflow only when an infrared sensor detects a person entering the room. When the person leaves the room, sensazone allows a preset time [typically 15 minutes] and then cuts off the supply once more. This prevents all water loss due to defective equipment, negligence or vandalism. If the system isn’t used for 12 hours a ’hygiene flush’ for all WCs and urinals in the washroom is automatically set in place.

The sensazone system, though relying on sophisticated technology, is simple in concept.

When the PIR sensor detects movement, it instantly opens solenoid valves fixed to the inlet water supply pipes (one each for hot water, cold water plus ‘grey’ or rainwater if used), allowing the inflow of water to all outlets in the washroom. The discreetly styled sensor unit is ceiling-mounted as near as possible to the washroom doorway and the solenoids inserted as close as the pipe layout allows to the pipes’ entry into the washroom.

An LED display in the sensor unit flashes green every three seconds as long as the water supply is connected. Installation is a simple matter for both the PIR sensor (which can be fitted equally easily to solid or false ceilings) and the solenoids.

Cistermiser’s development of the sensazone system offers an important water-saving tool for any organisation with washroom facilities, from a company with a small staff up to a large school or hospital. The advantages of a system that requires little or no maintenance, and yet guarantees that faulty outlets or careless users do not waste water needlessly at considerable cost to the owner, are self-evident.

Cistermiser Ltd Unit 1,Woodley Park Estate, 59-69 Reading Road, Woodley, Berks RG5 3AN T 0118 969 1611 F 0118 944 1426 www.cistermiser.co.uk Major products Cistermiser hydraulic urinal flush controls; Cistermiser IRC (electronic) urinal flush controls; Direct Flush mains pressureurinal flush controls; Freeway/BioBlock washroom odour & blockage prevention; Easy flush hands-free WC flush; Combimate Siliphos dosing domestic limescale prevention device Trade associations Industrial Associate of the IPHE Literature available Catalogues; installation, fault-finding and FAQs operating instructions; dimensional line drawings

Water Efficient Solutions • waterefficientsolutions.co.uk

SEMINARS | WORKSHOPS | EXHIBITION | NETWORKING | INSIGHT & INNOVATION

ALL AT SEA ABOUT WATER EFFICIENCY?

OFFICIAL SPONSOR

Stop your profits from going down the drain.

Hear from the Water Technology List, Waterwise and major energy and resource users about water efficient technologies.

Gain insight into crucial strategies and case-studies to ensure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not caught out by imminent cost rises or water shortages.

All the information, all the contacts - under one roof at The Energy Event.

13-14 September, NEC Birmingham Request your FREE entry with priority code WESA

80% FLOOR PLAN SOLD! TO EXHIBIT CALL 0207 728 4958

www.theenergyevent.com/WESA CO-EVENT SPONSORS

EVENT PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS

2010/11

Recommended clearspace area

CARBON OFFSET PARTNER

WES Energy A4 Ad_D.indd 1

21/04/2011 11:42

Thinking water...

o Aqualogic (WC) Ltd 0844 324 0844

www.aqualogic-wc.com WATER AUDITING | INSTALLATIONS | AMR | MONITORING | WATER SAVING PRODUCTS