|
|
| Conference | |
| About us Feedback Register Contact Advertise Editorial Finditforme | Publications Partners Links Discussions Quiz |
|
|
|
Channel Homepages
» Home
» Sustainable Business » Green Buildings » Contaminated Land » Water/Wastewater » Waste/Recycling » Energy/Carbon » edie Ireland » Sustainabilitylive! Site SponsorTo see all site sponsors, click here
|
March 2010 Regulated Water Management
Mike Norton By Mike Norton, Technical Director, Kingspan Water and Chair UK Rainwater Harvesting Association. It underlines just how far up the public agenda the need for sustainable water usage has come. Global warming has meant that government and industry has had to engage in a candid review of our water resources; one which is likely to lead to significant changes in how we all use treated water. And one in which means many people are going to have to put greater value on the water they use. The consequences of climate change will almost certainly result in a limit being imposed on individual water usage, with future generations having to mange in a world where consumption rates are less than half those currently. As better management of water resources has become a priority, so we have seen the introduction of building assessments and regulations to improve water usage in new developments. Two building assessments in particular, the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM rating, have had a major influence in supporting a sustainable water programme in this sector. Both schemes require that limits are imposed on mains water consumption in order for a development to achieve an excellence rating. THE CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES In the public sector, Level 3 of the Code became mandatory in 2007. It will become mandatory for the private sector this year. The higher Levels are being more gradually phased in over the next few years: all new homes, of course, must be Level 6 by 2016. The significance for rainwater harvesting is that achieving a Level 5 or 6 rating requires a reduction in mains water consumption in a property from an average of 160 litres per person per day, to as little as 80 litres (WAT1 and WAT2 of the Code). Quite a difference! That said, modern, high-density housing can limit the average roof area of a house to around 40m2 which may represent a restraining factor on the capacity of any rainwater harvesting system and its ability to deliver the savings required by the Code. For this reason, installing water reuse or "greywater recycling systems" as well as rainwater harvesting may become more common in the future. Aside from sustainable water use, there are other mandatory parts of the Code relating to water management that are perhaps not so widely appreciated, in particular SUR1. Under SURI, developers are obliged, 'To design housing developments which avoid, reduce and delay the discharge of rainfall to public sewers and watercourses. This will protect watercourses and reduce the risk of localised flooding, pollution and other environmental damage'. This aspect of the Code has been designed to align with planning policy statement PPS25: 'Development and Flood Risk' and with the CIRIA 'Interim Code of Practice for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS)'. SUR1 requires the installation of rainwater harvesting as a first option if the ground conditions require it in order to reduce surface water run-off. By capturing rainwater from the roof via the guttering, and storing it on site, a rainwater harvesting system can reduce surface run-off during heavy rainfall. The recycled water is then passed (via the washing machine or toilet) into the foul system rather than directly into storm drains, reducing the flood risk associated with overflowing drains. If issues around surface water run-off are not addressed, a development will only qualify for a Level Zero rating so the consequences of ignoring SUR1 are far-reaching. BREEAM Alongside the Code, we have the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) - one of the most widespread and comprehensive assessments designed to recognise the environmental performance of a building through a scale rating. Most new-build schools, colleges, offices, government buildings, multi-residential and retail buildings should now be designed to meet a high BREEAM rating. Every available point needs to be secured to reach an excellent standard, therefore rainwater harvesting, which gives points in a couple of categories, will often be installed. BUILDING REGS Finally, we understand that water management will be a focus for the incoming Building Regulations G due to be published in April 2010. For the first time, they are expected to set out limits for water consumption - possibly around 125 litres per person, per day. How and where greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting may be used in new build projects is also expected to be set out in these regulations. BEYOND REGULATION There has been much debate as to whether water metering should be a requirement alongside all the regulations. The issue underpinning both regulation and metering is the need to encourage people to place greater value on water, and therefore use it more judiciously. But how is any level of restraint going to be received by consumers, who may feel metering is yet another infringement on their liberty, and simply a way of passing on rising costs to the beleaguered tax-payer? As with all attempts to persuade people to change their habits, it's useful to employ the carrot as much as the stick. It's therefore encouraging to note that rainwater harvesting can play a further part in advancing this discussion. Rainwater harvesting not only reduces dependency on mains water, it also delivers significant financial savings for consumers. When rainwater and greywater systems are used together, savings of up to 50% on a domestic property's annual water bill can be realised (although this is impacted by factors such as the size of the roof and the annual rainfall in the region). Whichever way you look at it, rainwater harvesting has to be seen as an important part of our future - a truly joined-up approach to sustainable water management. For more information, visit http://www.kingspanwater.com/domestic_rainwater_harvesting.htm, download our guide at http://www.kingspanwater.com/pdf/rainwater_harvesting_guide.pdf
This story is tagged with: environmental technology | ethical consumers | flooding | Legal Opinion | water metering | water saving | water treatment
Click a keyword to see more stories on that topic.
|
You are not
logged in » Log in here Related MediaAnimated fly-through of the water and waste water treatment cycle, showing the key stages where ABB's products can be used.
» WWT Round Table - Asset ManagementThe directors of asset management for four water companies and other industry leaders met for a top level debate at Warwick Racecourse on 14 June. The WWT Round Table on Asset Management was hos...
» Metering expertise shared at Round Table eventMetering experts from the water and energy sectors met in London for a WWT Round Table about smart metering on 11 May, sponsored by engineering consultancy and business service provider Mouchel. ...
» See more
Latest News» Chinese flooding set to peak» Government blueprint for better marine management » Fine for sewage leak which devastated water course » Plans for waste 'eco-park' announced » Euro 540 million Irish eco-park could solve water needs Related StoriesAn act based on lessons learned from the series of serious floods affecting Britain has been brought into effect.» Norton Rose election briefing: environment The law firm looks at where the major parties stand on the environment.» Northern Ireland to prepare water management plans The legal foundations have been laid for the publication of water resources management plans in Northern Ireland.» Environmental industries begin recovery in Asia-Pacific Environmental industries in the Asia Pacific region are back on the up after the economic downturn and are expected to fully recover over the next financial year. |
Send to a friend
Link to this page
Supplier links
|
Turnkey Instruments Ltd Manufacturer of a range of Environmental Dust Monitoring equipment as well as electronic brake testing equipment. ... |
Rotork Controls Ltd Products & Services-
Heavy duty valve actuators, Electric , Pnuematic and Hydraulic.Valve actuator control systems, valve ac... |
Siemens Water Technologies (Wallace & Tiernan Products) Tonbridge-based Siemens Water Technologies has a broad portfolio of chemical dosing and disinfection products for municipal a... |
Process Measurement & Analysis Ltd We market Water Quality Analytical instrumentation Optically, Ultrasonically or via wet chemistry for monitoring of trace met... |
| Click for more details | Click for more details | Click for more details | Click for more details |
| Conference | |
| About us Feedback Register Contact Advertise Editorial Finditforme | Publications Partners Links Discussions Quiz |
