EDITOR’S PICKS
consumption was monitored.
With consumers already struggling with rising living costs and inflation, detecting and preventing leaks would be an easy way to cut costs. With residential leaks, up to 1.7 liters of water are wasted per minute. For example, one small leak in a residential apartment that lasts for twelve days can cause an increase in monthly costs of more than 15 percent.
Although leaks happen less frequently in commercial properties than in residential houses, commercial properties experienced a notably higher loss, averaging a 48% higher water loss per leak compared to the overall average of all different properties’ water loss.
Real estate owners and investors should be aware that detecting leakages early can prevent damage to already-aged infrastructure and property, potentially saving them hundreds of thousands of euros in restoration costs.
Several factors contribute to the occurrence of leaks. Aging infrastructure, corrosion, faulty installation, and environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations and soil movement can weaken pipes and plumbing fixtures over time, leading to leaks. Additionally, high water pressure can put excessive stress on pipes, increasing the likelihood of leaks. With extreme weather conditions causing sometimes drought and sometimes flooding, old infrastructure is put under pressure it won’t likely withstand.
New EU regulations force property owners to think about water management
Another factor that increases the meaning of understanding water is new legislation. During 2024, two new regulatory frameworks will step into play for the European real estate market: the EU Taxonomy and the CSRD. Because of them, real estate and water utility sectors
are now forced to act on their water consumption.
The European Union Taxonomy Regulation was created to promote sustainable economic activities by providing a standardized framework for classifying sustainability in the real estate market. Real estate owners, particularly those with larger portfolios, stand to benefit significantly from the EU Taxonomy, as they are able to make wiser decisions based on accurate information on, amongst other things, water usage.
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) forces SMEs and bigger companies to report on their sustainability. Among the various facets of sustainability, water management is one of the key areas for avoiding unnecessary CO2 emissions. Both of these regulatory frameworks have a wide array of metrics throughout buildings, several of which relate to water.
Serious Waste tanker at EcoClarity FOG recovery hub in Hull
Partnerships drive FOG-to-fuel circular economy
Sewer blockages due to the impact of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in wastewater systems is a major environmental challenge, but innovative waste management partnerships are delivering effective solutions, says Chris Clemes, chief executive of engineering technology company, EcoClarity and Rob Menzies, managing director of Serious Waste Management.
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Fats oils and grease – otherwise known as FOG - are common byproducts of restaurants and food processing facilities, but FOG disposal has long posed a challenge.
Currently too much FOG enters the sewers and drains, where it often results in blockages, which can significantly impact the public, the environment, and be costly
| August 2024 |
www.draintraderltd.com
to clear. The alternative is landfill disposal, which fails to capitalise on the value of FOG as a potential renewable fuel source.
Tackling this issue was the inspiration behind EcoClarity’s patented technology, which separates problematic FOG from wastewater and recovers a valuable energy resource for biodiesel production, while returning safe water to the environment.
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