BATHROOMS & KITCHENS FOCUS 73
Tap into vital water savings T
oday, one in 10 people have no access to drinking water. Eight years from now, it is estimated that there will be a 40% shortfall in water supply. By 2050 water demand will increase by 55% with growing populations coupled with increasing water scarcity. Recent consultations with the UK Government on water labelling, changes to Part G of the Building Regulations, and recent water shortages mean that product manufacturers can play a lead role in addressing these challenges.
Bathrooms account for 90% of water use in commercial buildings, with almost 50% of the water being used for flushing toilets. In homes, Part G stipulates that we should use no more than 125 litres of water per day. Given the enormous amount of water used, any savings that can be achieved will have a significant impact in managing water sustainably for the future.
Environmental assessment tools Choosing water saving products is now a legislative requirement for new buildings, and the need for demonstrable sustainability measures is having a big impact on building design, with clients looking at more sustainable ways to build and fit out their buildings. Building designers often adopt environmental assessment tools to help guide product selection, demonstrate best practice, and document their efforts to create sustainable environments. Using an environmental assessment tool greatly improves the likelihood of making informed and creative decisions in the way a project is designed. Selecting the right materials, products, and M&E and plumbing systems, can greatly reduce the building’s initial (and life cycle) impact on the environment, including reduced consumption of water, reduced energy costs, and a healthier environment for users.
ADF APRIL 2023
Kate Hirst at Lecico Bathrooms taps into the crucial issue of water scarcity, and how specifiers looking to water saving products can help to provide a host of economic, social, and environmental benefits
Product innovation Consequently, sustainability and water saving has become a very important consideration for the bathroom industry and conservation of water is leading to significant developments in product innovation. Bathroom manufacturers are aiding building designers in their quest to reduce water consumption by producing new, exciting, innovative, and technologically advanced products. Current ranges of water saving products include WCs which only require 4/2.6 litres of water for flushing, waterless urinals, water saving baths, and flow restrictors in taps. A recent innovation in toilets is also making a
Selecting water-efficient products not only saves water but directly impacts a premises’ carbon footprint by reducing the need for supply and water treatment processing
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
