66 UTILITIES & SERVICES Water scarcity could slow future building
L
ocal authorities are planning for extensive housebuilding to meet government targets. However, it is estimated that in some
areas 39% of Labour’s additional homes will be undeliverable due to water scarcity. To allow new homes to be built at the rates
required, more water effi cient homes are required. Standards of 30% greater effi ciency allows 45% more homes to be built without increased water demand. Smart meters are seen as a signifi cant part of the solution to reducing domestic water usage, Thames Water have recorded post installation savings of 12-17%, most major UK water companies have announced their plans for Advanced metering infrastructure, where all new connections or meters will replaced with the latest generation of smart meters.
GROUNDBREAKER – THE BEST LOCATION FOR SMART METERS Groundbreaker is an insulated, surface mounted enclosure for a secure water management system and smart water meter. This locates the meter above ground, providing a better environment for smart technology over traditional underground boundary boxes, extends signal transmission and allows easy meter exchange. The unique location of the Groundbreaker
water management system future proofs the network and minimises the risk of developing future leaks. The position of the meter allows for an unjointed water supply, hence maintaining the integrity of the supply. The use of an uninterrupted supply has been recognised as best practice by Water UK and the Home Builders Federation. In addition to new developments,
Groundbreaker is ideal for redevelopment or refurbishment of properties that have architectural or water supply structures that
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SAVE WATER, SAVE ENERGY, SAVE MONEY Stewart Clements, Director of the Heating & Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) explained. “It’s important that those responsible for building new homes and for upgrading existing homes – including both social and private housing providers and landlords – recognise the diff erent factors involved in minimising energy consumption and in making tomorrow’s homes the effi cient properties needed to achieve decarbonisation and reach the net zero target for 2050.”
make traditional metering options impractical. This point of entry location makes it the
perfect solution for installation in existing properties with shared supply or challenging architecture. Its location on the building also means no street furniture or liability in the highway.
miles in an average family car.” Energy Saving Trust
the CO2
While water effi cient appliances, i.e. dishwashers and washing machines, can reduce domestic water and energy usage, much of this hot water used in ‘time critical’ usage e.g. taking a shower or running the tap to rinse dishes.
LO-FLO – ADDITIONAL WATER SAVING, BUILT IN To further improve home water effi ciency, major water companies are also rolling out fl ow regulating devices, such as Groundbreaker’s LoFlo. These modulate the level of fl ow entering premises – regardless of network pressure, meaning a reduction in the level of water used by customers when ‘variable use’ appliances (i.e. showers, taps, hosepipes). As the fl ow of water into the premises is limited, then the amount used by the customer is also limited – but without providing a degradation of service, and more importantly not requiring any intervention or behavioural change on the part of the customer. The NRv2 LoFlo can be easily and simply
fi tted to any meter installation or retrofi tted on meter exchange or when upgrading or remediating underground meter chambers. Thus, allowing Water Companies to manage demand with little or no impact on consumers and at minimal cost to the water undertakers. Whether it’s new build or redevelopment,
Groundbreaker has a range of products to design in water effi cient homes.
01379 741993
www.groundbreaker.co.uk
and appliances emits an average of 875kg of CO2
“The energy used to heat water for devices per household per year. This is equivalent to
emissions from driving more than 1,700
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