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New Government, New Building Policies
Labour have committed to boost the building of affordable housing. Their plan is to build 1.5 million new homes in the next 5 years1 . However,
the anticipated UK water deficit is projected to be 4017 megalitres per day by 2050. To offset this projected deficit, major water companies have been developing plans to upgrade the UKs water supply and reduce current usage from 150 litres per person per day to 110.
I
n 2020 Robert Jenrick, the then Secretary of State highlighted the need to adopt Modern Methods of Construction as the way forward to help resolve the housing crisis and urged Housing Associations and Local Councils to embrace new technology and methods of working.
This focus on building method still holds true. Combined with surface mounted water meters and water efficiency built in, this new building wave could contribute to not only to alleviating the housing crisis but offsetting the future water deficit.
Smart systems – location is the key
Smart meters are seen as a significant part of the solution to reducing domestic water usage. Thames Water have recorded post installation savings of 12-17%2
. Following multiple trials, all
water companies are now working on plans for Advanced metering infrastructure, where all new connections or meters use the latest generation of smart meters.
The issues raised in the early trials has led much of the UK water industry to recognise that the most effective methods of installing the advanced metering infrastructure is to locate the meter above ground.
The use of the Groundbreaker water management system co-locates the water meter on the exterior wall of the dwelling, alongside gas and electric meters. It has the advantage of providing a better environment for smart technology and the additional benefits of extended signal transmission and easy meter exchange.
Use of an above ground water meter housing has the added advantage of removing water supply from the critical path of construction for MMC. Water services can be fully installed prior to moving on site, the interior plumbing is pre- approved and certificated off site. Groundbreaker water management system is the only system of its type, it is designed to be installed at any time during the construction period. Fully compliant with Water Regulations, it provides an accessible, safe and secure location for the water meter and controls to a specific property.
The concept is simple. Water services are connected to an externally mounted, pre-installed
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water service controls. The pre-installation and certification of plumbing can facilitate early approval of water services to a plot. This allows flexibility in the management and scheduling of connection to the mains supply. The key benefit to the water company is that connection of the water supply is no longer a key element in the critical path of the project.
There is no need for boundary boxes or meter housings in the footpath, and this simplification of the connection allows for improved efficiency and reduces the time required for highway closures. An added benefit of removing meter housing from the footpath is that there is no disruption to the footpath, so no reinstatement costs.
In addition, the unique location of the Groundbreaker water management system allows for an unjointed water supply. The use of an uninterrupted supply has been recognised as best practice by Water UK and the Home Builders Federation3
by maintaining the integrity of the supply and minimising the risk of future leaks.
Water efficient homes
United Utilities have recognised that water efficient homes are the key to reduce consumption further. In all new properties, developers will be encouraged to design in water conservation measures, including the installation of a flow regulator. These modulate the flow entering customer premises, so limiting the amount used by the customer and creating a ‘natural’ reduction in consumption.
These products are fitted to the main water supply, and not each individual outlet. This removes any risk of consumer interference and ensure that minimum standards of water supply are maintained as specified within the Water Industry Act and Water Fittings Regulations.
Groundbreaker supply two products. In properties with a meter Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo can be installed between the water meter and manifold in any water meter enclosure. For unmetered properties, the LoFlo InLine is fitted on the main water supply pipe, normally just aſter the main stop tap.
In either unit, several flow modulation ranges
are available which enable the perfect balance between usage reduction and service provision. As an added benefit, the Groundbreaker’s LoFlo Check Valve systems have the unique property of providing whole site protection against contamination by back flow (up to fluid category 2) as standard. Groundbreaker products are compliant with all Regulations and defined criteria and are used extensively across the whole of the UK water supply network – whether that be North of Scotland or the Channel Islands.
For further details please contact Groundbreaker Systems at
www.groundbreaker.co.uk
1
https://labour.org.uk/updates/stories/labours-housing-plan-how-well- protect-our-natural-spaces-and-free-up-grey-belt-land-for-building
2
https://database.waterwise.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/J37880- Waterwise_Water_Efficiency_Strategy_Inners_Landscape_WEB.pdf
3
https://phpdonline.co.uk/news/watersafe-partners-with-the-home- builders-federation-to-reduce-water-leaks-in-new-properties
. It future proofs the network
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