64 GROUNDWORKS


for individuals at that time, compared with taking a shower in the middle of the day when demand is less.


MAKING IMPROVEMENTS While of course there are important changes that need to be made when it comes to water performance – such as repairing water infrastructure, looking at sustainable measures and tackling challenges at the source – advancements in technology offer innovative solutions to enhance water performance in the interim.


Pump boosting solutions have the capability to increase flow rate by connecting directly to incoming cold-water mains and activating automatically when an outlet is open – a tap or shower for example – boosting mains water pressure and flow throughout a property.


There are products designed specifically for residential use that help to address those water pressure and flow fluctuations that homeowners may find out of their control, particularly if the problem lies in the location. Exploring these options should be a priority for any housebuilder looking ahead.


BOOSTING BENEFITS As well as the obvious advantages of a


HIGHER-PRESSURE SHOWERS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER WATER CONSUMPTION


better shower experience, there are also economic advantages of using pump systems. This could bring substantial cost savings for homes and help to support environmental sustainability, by reducing water consumption and waste. When water pressure is higher, there is a greater chance that showers will be shorter. Recent research undertaken by the niversities of urrey, ristol and Swansea analysed how increased water pressure helped to reduce water consumption in showers. Through installing sensors across 290 showers around the Surrey campus, the team analysed more than 86,000 individual showers across 39 weeks. The researchers found that while some showers were very long, the average duration was 6.7 minutes. Half of the showers took between 3.3 and 8.8 minutes. The results reveal that at any given flow rate, higher pressure showers were associated with


lower water consumption.


In addition, the team installed visible timers into showers so users could see how long they were taking. This coupled with the high-pressure shower, meant that on average showers used about 17 litres of water. In contrast, those with low pressure and no timer, used nearly 61 litres per shower.


FINAL THOUGHTS y harnessing technology, such as pumps or high-pressure storage systems, developers can overcome challenges like low water pressure and inconsistent flow rates. or instance, storing water at high pressure during off-peak hours and releasing it during peak demand can significantly improve water performance. Additionally, technologies that monitor and analyse water usage patterns can help identify areas for improvement and optimise systems efficiency. Improving water performance is essential for environmental, economic, and social wellbeing. y addressing challenges through innovative technologies and data-driven approaches, we can ensure a sustainable and reliable water supply for future generations.


Mark Ayckbourn is domestic division product manager at Stuart Turner


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