ROUND TABLE REVIEW 29
Innovative water saving solutions could save clients millions of pounds while cutting carbon emissions, as reduced water use means reduced heating, abstracting, treatment and processing. But the overall social imperative is that increasing the use of approaches that treat water as a valuable resource is also vital to avoid widespread future summer droughts, predicted by scientists as a result of climate change. Some areas of Anglian Water’s jurisdiction are drier than Jerusalem, as confi rmed in an aside at the round table by Garry Beaver from the wholesaler. With commercial clients facing competition from exponential demand for water-hungry data centres across the country, the case for effi ciency measures in new commercial buildings has to be supported by strong economics as well as sustainability arguments.
The event brought together voices from the water sector and construction to again share key examples of industry innovation, but also to review the positives and shortcomings of the Defra White Paper (a response to the wide-ranging Cunliffe Report on the water sector), which was conveniently released just before the event. Delegates revealed a varied picture of water wholesalers investing in water saving in commercial buildings, and the rollouts of smart meters by forward-thinking authorities like Thames and Anglian, and resulting data showing the weaknesses and economic losses in buildings. While this was bolstering the case for investment, it should be allied to carbon savings, and thereby harnessed to the momentum of the high profi le carbon reduction agenda. Commercial clients are (whether they realise it or not) accountable for water effi ciency, and The Environment Act put the onus on them to achieve a 9% reduction in water use by 2038. Only by working closely with designers, consultants and supply experts will they be able to discover the relevant practical solutions which can not only tackle leaks but reduce ongoing spend on water waste in commercial properties.
The debate: The commercial challenge The emergence of a ‘roadmap’ on Part G in the White Paper from Defra, following the consultation in 2025 might have suggested a stronger focus on mandated reductions in the commercial sector. However, what was billed as a comprehensive ‘once in a generation reform’ only contained a couple of key initiatives which would directly benefi t those seeking action in the commercial space. One was the announcement of a mandatory water label, despite the unifi ed water label having already been developed and introduced by industry), and “unlocking barriers to accelerate” the rollout of smart metering. The White Paper also contained plans to introduce a Chief Engineer within the new ‘single’ water regulator, but this ‘hands-on’ role was more about ending the ability of water companies to ‘mark their own homework.’ We reviewed some of the recommendations made just under a year ago to see what progress, if any had been made. For example, greater Government direction was called for on water effi ciency in commercial settings, and for water to be given a higher place on the agenda, alongside, or aligned with, carbon saving. There was also a lack of knowledge on water saving incentives or innovations in the industry but also among clients, meaning that stakeholders should come together more cohesively to promote solutions.
ATTENDEES • James Parker (Chair), Managing Editor, Architects’ Datafi le and Housebuilder & Developer
• James Fisher, Head of Strategic Partnerships, BREEAM • Andrew Tucker, Water Demand Reduction Manager, Thames Water
• Naomi Sadler, Director, Sadler Energy & Environmental Services
• Garry Beaver, Programme Manager, Anglian Water • Kate Fletcher, Director, Arup • Daphne Doody-Green, CEO, The Bathroom Association • Jane Bellard, Co-Founder, Weir The Agency • Chris Brooks, Head of Water Reduction, Save Money Cut Carbon
• Liz D’Arcy, Head of Data Insight & Analytics, MOSL • Claire Spendley, Head of Finance and Commercial Services, Waterwise
• Matt Wilkinson, Director of Climate Services, JLL • Victoria Hughes, Sustainability Business Partner, BAM UK & Ireland
SPONSORS’ ATTENDEES • Aaron Bayfi eld, Regional Sales Manager, Delabie UK • Richard Braid, Managing Director, Cistermiser
Despite the general lack of progress on the recommendations made in 2025, there were positive signs among the commercial clients that JLL is working with, as articulated by the fi rm’s Matt Wilkinson. He said that from working with the “major global real estate investors and lots of the global occupiers” on their workspace strategies, JLL were “really seeing water creeping up the board, particularly across development transactions and in operations that kind of cross that life cycle.” Chris Brooks, of Save Money, Cut Carbon agreed, saying economic pressures were forcing a greater awareness: “I’m seeing businesses engage with water more because of the rising cost; there are a lot more enquiries coming through now.” However he added that, because of those economic challenges, “a lot of smaller businesses have to prioritise their money elsewhere, and said that schools, for example, “are very cash strapped, but hopefully the savings should pay for their repayments.”
As well as this positive indication that decision-makers (at least within blue-chip workspace clients) were increasingly seeing water effi ciency as more important to their business, the tie-in to carbon savings was also being made, and was “a key piece of their strategies,” where clients are driving water effi ciency. Building consultant and surveyor Naomi Sadler said that “the onus was now on building owners for water reduction.” Andrew Tucker of Thames Water revealed the huge water losses wholesalers were uncovering across the commercial sector with smart meters. Thames have already installed 73,000 smart meters in businesses of various different sizes, and aims to have over 170,000
ADF MARCH 2026
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