Online Interactive Water Efficiency Toolkit Launched
Radian and the Environment Agency have produced a Water Efficiency toolkit which provides a practical way of utilising the findings of their local two-year Water Efficiency Project. The useful toolkit will help householders, local authorities and contractors to calculate household usage, cost benefits from water efficiency devices, as well as the total water and CO2 savings made. It can be found at www.watercalculator.radian.co.uk
The Water Efficiency Project, commissioned in March 2008 as a result of the dwindling water resources in the South East of England, has reached its conclusion and the full report and findings are now available at http://www.radian.co.uk/200907092005/water-conservation.html or go to www.radian.co.uk and click on the Sustainability and then Water Conservations menu headings on the left of the page..
The South East of England has low rainfall, a high population density and individuals consuming high volumes of water. With a housing stock of over 18,500 homes throughout the region, Radian is aware that there are water supply problems facing the area. Therefore, Radian is working to identify how best to reduce demand, both in new-builds and in the existing housing stock.
The report confirms that in existing homes, the eco-beta dual flush toilet device, which converts standard single-flush siphon valves into dual-flush units, reduced overall water consumption by approximately 20%, to 136 litres per day. The device works by interrupting the vacuum created when a toilet is flushed, thereby using less water per flush. It was also found to be inexpensive and took householders approximately 15 minutes to install.
Some of Radian’s new homes are achieving average water consumption lower than the Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH) Level 3 standard of 105 litres per person per day. These homes have a range of water efficiency appliances fitted such as low flow taps, showers and dual-flush toilets whilst others have rainwater harvesting.
The report also highlights the relation between saving water and saving energy as water saving appliances also reduce CO2 emissions. For instance, if a household fits an eco-beta, an aerated showerhead and a kitchen tap aerator for an approximate cost of £40, around 880kg CO2 per year would be saved, annual energy bills reduced by around £38. This is in addition to saving 30,527 litres of water per year and reducing annual metered water bills by approximately £25.
However, the report also recommends that whilst technology is important, behaviour cannot be ignored. There is an enormous potential for saving water by raising awareness and encouraging water efficient behaviour.
“Water is society's most basic need but supplies are becoming uncertain in the south-east. We have to learn how to achieve a decent standard of living while reducing the amount of water we all use in the home. This project’s findings are therefore crucial in teaching us successful and acceptable methods of saving water which will also use less energy and will reduce our carbon footprint.” Rod Murchie, Environment Agency.
Stephanie Beggs, Water Conservation Projects Coordinator, Radian said, "Water supplies are going down but we are using more water, simple measures can help to reduce water use, without changing our lifestyles. Radian acknowledges that water resources and supply are stressed and we are proactively working to reduce demand for water, to ensure its availability in the future.”
For more information on water efficiency please contat Radian on 023 8062 8000 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
