WATER SYSTEMS


across Europe, and replaced the former governing body, the European Bathroom Forum), points out: “As an industry we have the technology to offer water- efficient products without compromising the experience for the end-user. Many manufacturers are also supporting the Unified Water Label (a ‘smart tool’ that provides ‘a means to identify water-using products, with a common label that offers clear, concise and easy-to-understand messaging about water and energy consumption’), which identifies the water and energy consumption of products, helping consumers make more informed choices.”


As a UK manufacturer, we feel it is vital


Above left and middle: The U1 urinal pack features the contemporary ‘Edge’ automatic urinal with control trap sensor and overflow prevention, which helps to maintain hygiene standards and performs with maximum water efficiency.


Above right: The IPEE Vortex urinal flush kit is compatible with most sanitaryware, can be retrofitted, and offers overflow prevention, ‘perfectly timed flushes’, and water-saving technology to avoid false flushes.


the effectiveness of the cistern’s flush or the fill; nor does it add any extra time to the flushing process. Considering that the typical percentage of total healthcare water consumption for the toilet is 24%, it makes sense that these reductions in water use for filling can substantially bolster savings. When coupled with the opportunities to reduce toilet water consumption through dual-flush options, such simple swaps within a toilet cistern arrangement can make a major difference in the high-use healthcare washroom environment.


Value of regular maintenance As an accountable and environmentally conscious UK manufacturer, we feel a responsibility to reinforce simple water- saving messages, which offer eco-friendly and money-saving options across the board. Once a water-saving toilet solution is in place, it is important to remember that regular servicing and maintenance of the system will play an important part in its ongoing efficiency, as would be the case with most other mechanical equipment.


Failure to undertake routine maintenance


can result in considerable water losses, and – primarily with a toilet – to what is generally known as a ‘leaky loo.’ A ‘leaky loo’ is a common term which refers to the leaking of clean water from the toilet cistern straight into the toilet bowl. Sometimes difficult to spot, according to Waterwise, ‘a leaking toilet wastes between 215 and 400 litres of clean drinking water on average every day’. Waterwise estimates that between 5 and 8% of toilets are leaking. This equates to around a huge 400 million litres of water potentially leaking from UK toilets every single day; enough water to supply 2.8 million people.6 Routine maintenance – including cleaning the cistern to remove any accumulated debris, and replacement of wearing washers or valves – can ensure that ‘leaky loos’ are identified and remedied.


Selecting toilet solutions As Yvonne Orgill, MD at the Unified Water Label Association (which was established in 2020 to drive forward the implementation of the Unified Water Label


Data and statistics on UK water use


n Out of all the water on the planet there is less than 1% accessible fresh water for us to use. (Waterwise).


n Although some parts of England and Wales enjoyed piped water supplies as early as the 15th century, it was only in the late 18th century that piped water was available to the vast majority of the population. (OFWAT).


58 Health Estate Journal October 2022


n Operational emissions from the water industry account for nearly 1% of the UK’s total carbon emissions. (Waterwise).


n Water companies in the UK have unveiled a ground-breaking plan to deliver a net zero water supply for customers by 2030 in the world’s first sector-wide commitment of its kind. www.water.org.uk/routemap2030/


to reinforce the benefits of the installation of water-saving bathroom devices, while ensuring that they are properly installed and maintained. The impact of water-saving toilet fill and


flush technology can be hugely significant if adopted more readily in new-build and retrofit situations – and – as part of a sustainable build scheme – the installation of the appropriate toilet system can also contribute towards the achievement of a BREEAM rating.


Sourcing from a UK manufacturer For the environmentally-conscious specifier, there are significant benefits too to sourcing products from a UK manufacturer – primarily in terms of the reliability and quality of the products on offer, which are all subject to appropriate compliance testing, certification, and registration, with applicable industry schemes.


Why specify touchless ‘smart’ flush technology? When specifying for healthcare washrooms, smart ‘touchless’ options have been a long-standing staple – from soap dispensers to taps, with the popular focal point for touchless use being the toilet flush. Of course the hygiene benefits of a touchless flush are widely recognised. To further enhance touchless technology, modern ‘smart’ toilets can offer even more benefits, which set touchless flushing apart from a regular manual flush. Among these are the following:


n Enhanced hygiene A ‘smart’ or touchless flush has become an integral part of maintaining superior hygiene standards. No-touch technology allows the toilet flush to be triggered often by the movement of a hand, but what if the user forgets to flush? Manufacturers are introducing revolutionary flushing panels, which can be activated simply by the movement of the user walking away. These are ideal for maintaining hygiene standards while preventing potential blockages. A recent case study combining water


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