WASHROOM SYSTEMS
Accurate data key to cutting consumption
Steve Nurdin, Marketing manager at Cannon Hygiene, explains how hospital Trusts can better understand their water use, and take measures to improve sustainability while reducing costs.
Water shortages are among the world’s biggest long-term sustainability challenge. Resources are decreasing globally, and water stress – the measure of shortages – is an increasing concern. When thinking about areas with high numbers of droughts, the UK might not be at the front of your mind. Yet over the next century these problems are set to grow closer to home. In fact, according
to the UN, over five billion people could suffer from water shortages by 2050 as a result of climate change, increased demand, and polluted supplies. Understanding where there are opportunities to reduce day-to-day water consumption in industry, and indeed public buildings, is one area which could have a significant impact, and not only in terms of sustainability. Wasted water can lead to surprising water bills – particularly if leaks go unnoticed for days. Global Green and Healthy Hospitals, the international network for hospitals, healthcare facilities, and health organisations, has more than 1,200 members in 60 countries representing the interests of over 36,000 hospitals and health centres that are dedicated to reducing their environmental footprint. It says that there are ‘very few reliable water
A water management system in a washroom. Almost half of the water used by hospitals can be attributed to handwashing, showering, and toilet flushing, according to a study by a range of UK, Dutch, and Indian universities.
consumption benchmarks in the sector’. The organisation also explains that in countries where there are ample water supplies, hospitals tend to be ‘huge consumers’. However, their peers in developing countries must deliver vital services with inadequate or non-existent water infrastructure.
A ‘smart’ water meter can give estates and facilities managers real-time data on their water use in an online platform that can assess how much water is flowing through pipes in different areas across the estate.
Round-the-clock availability Hospitals, by their nature, require round- the-clock availability of utilities. Unlike in commercial office buildings, schools or hotels – fluctuations in footfall aren’t as noticeable, and many operate at full capacity 24 hours a day. Simply turning off facilities at particular times or closing for days isn’t an option. Because systems are always on, there are limited opportunities to assess where excessive water consumption may come from. As a result, assessing how to reduce water use has previously been difficult, because hospitals don’t know where best to direct their efforts. Now, with the advent of ‘smart’ water meters, hospitals can better assess where water sustainability measures will have the biggest impact.
Diagnosing the problem The technology can help estates managers understand more about how water is being used across hospitals.
Almost half of the water used by hospitals can be attributed to handwashing, showering, and toilet flushing, according to a study by a range of UK, Dutch, and Indian universities.1
While washrooms and
shower areas are a key contributor, it’s often difficult to assess which elements within these areas are the biggest contributors, and where investment can be made to reduce water use. A ‘smart’ water meter can give estates and facilities and property managers real-time data on their water use in an online platform that can assess how much water is flowing through pipes in different areas across the estate. This not only monitors water use, but equally, can help identify patterns, and demonstrate where investment should be directed to reduce consumption and costs. In the event of a leak, a meter can be set so that water can be turned off remotely, helping to significantly reduce waste.
Taking action
Washrooms are one of biggest problem areas in terms of inefficiency. This is even more true in communal washrooms away from wards – those used by the public and staff – because they’re more likely to have urinals. Older systems flush water constantly to get rid of bad smells and clear uric salts. However, this is hugely
October 2019 Health Estate Journal 139
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