WATER TREATMENT, DRAINAGE & PIPED SERVICES
Achieving water efficiency in public sector bathrooms
With water efficiency now a critical driver in public sector construction, Sophie Weston, marketing manager for Twyford, explores how technological advances are reshaping commercial bathroom specification
T
he pressure on public sector projects shows no sign of letting up, with ageing buildings, dwindling budgets and increased regulatory demands all coming together to create unique challenges for
architects, specifiers and operators. Remember, the Government has committed to cut emissions from public sector buildings by 50% by 2032, and 75% by 2037 against 2017 levels, on the path to 2050. The Future Buildings Standard, set to come into force in 2025, will also set minimum efficiency standards for new non-domestic buildings, following changes to Part L (conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (ventilation) of the Building Regulations. Green measures to help meet these targets inevitably focus largely on energy-intensive services like heating, but water efficiency is another key driver in improving the sustainability of our buildings and should not be ignored. In 2021 the RWG Water Efficiency Group, a voluntary group of retailer and wholesaler representatives in the water sector, produced a roadmap for the development of water efficiency in the non-household sector. The target is to achieve a 9% reduction in water demand from the non-household sector on 2019/20 levels by 2038, and 15% by 2050. Additionally, the Building Regulations Approved Document Part G states that “reasonable provision must be made by the installation of fittings and fixed appliances that use water efficiently for the prevention of undue consumption of water.” New domestic properties should be designed and built so that they use no more mains-water than an average of 125-litres per person per day. While no specific limits are given for non-residential buildings, it is clear that measures to reduce water consumption should be explored – particularly when you consider the huge number of people employed across the UK public sector, all using their buildings.
Water saving solutions
Of course, manufacturers are responding and significant innovation has been evident in water efficiency measures. Architects and specifiers now have access to a wide range of products and technologies, from water-saving toilets to taps with built in technology. And with more than 160 years of heritage, Twyford has led the
way in such innovation, creating products that continually move bathroom design forward. The key is in specifying technologies that do not require change from users, because evidence shows that there will be little change if left to user habits. Research shows almost two thirds of people (62%) had not done anything to use less water in the last six months. The toilet flush is one area that has been a real focus of development, and it is easy to see why when you consider that more than 11 billion litres of potable water are used in buildings in the UK every day, and over a third of that is used to flush toilets. A full flush toilet uses, on average, 13 litres of water per flush compared to a dual flush toilet which uses 4-6 litres - making dual flush technology the most effective way to reduce water consumption. Manufacturers are increasingly producing dual flush plates and cistern systems, such as the Twyford Alcona toilet range that features water saving Flushwise® as standard. However, water-saving cisterns are only the first step. Maintenance and upkeep are essential, and operators have a role to play in water efficiency long after specification. The integrity of washers in valves and flat rubber seals can degrade over years of usage so it is important that facilities managers check their WCs for running water in the bowl when the toilet has not been flushed.
Tackling high footfall areas are also essential
to reduce water wastage and the right urinal system can make a real difference. Manufacturers are now incorporating innovations such as different operation modes, with associated low operation and maintenance costs. For example, the Twyford Centaurus urinal is completely waterless, providing a functional and hygiene solution with the added bonus of odour-reducing intelligence as well as anti- vandal resilience.
Additionally, some urinal systems which use water incorporate a water-saving flush function and proximity flushes, making it ideal for heavy footfall washrooms in public sector spaces. Flushing time is decreased when user frequency increases – so, for instance, the pre-set flush time is halved when another user approaches the urinal within one minute after the most recent flushing. Flow rate can also be reduced by changing the duration of the flush. Elsewhere, water consumption can also be
reduced through even small changes in public sector bathrooms. For example, brassware with built-in water- saving technology allows users to have better control of their water consumption, which is particularly useful in non-domestic environments where people are less likely to have a personal responsibility. In fact, research by Waterwise shows that more private sector workers are being encouraged to reduce water use at work than their public sector counterparts.
This technology includes infrared taps which
are proximity-activated, eliminating the risk of accidentally leaving the water flowing. Taps fitted with this technology will usually halt the water even for the briefest of absences, such as when reaching for the soap. Water usage can also be reduced in showers without compromising on performance by fitting a regulator, which places an upper limit on flow rates, or an aerator, which combines air with water to give the feeling of power. In public sector environments with baths, space-saving tubs offer a lower water capacity, providing the perfect option to save water while still giving users the option of a bath. As with any specification, there will always be practical considerations including cost (but remember to weigh up initial outlay against any ongoing and long-term savings), maintenance requirements and compliance standards. However, with greater awareness and a wide range of technologies available, water efficiency should form a key part of any sustainability strategy in new and existing public sector buildings. If you haven’t already, now is the time to extend the scope beyond energy use in the search for greener buildings.
14 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER APRIL 2025 Read the latest at:
www.bsee.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
