24 


 


Ellen Huelin, Sustainability Director at Whitecode Consulting, looks at the importance of incorporating water harvesting and saving systems into building design...


Water has long been viewed as a readily available resource in the UK. However, a combination of population growth, ageing infrastructure, climate change and increasing demand is placing unprecedented pressure on national water supplies. In fact, The Environment Agency has warned that England faces a severe public water shortfall of 5bn litres a day by 2055 if urgent action is not taken.


As the UK’s population continues to rise, so too does the demand for clean water


across homes, schools, hospitals and public buildings. At the same time, changing weather patterns are creating longer periods of drought, challenging traditional approaches to water management. Many regions in the UK are already


 Demand for water continues to rise, while climate estimations suggest that water availability may decrease. Increasingly frequent dry periods place pressure on reservoirs, rivers and groundwater supplies, while ageing infrastructure contributes to  the network. Historically, buildings have relied almost entirely on treated mains water


for every purpose, but an estimated 80% of commercial water use does not actually require drinking-water standards. This means that many everyday activities, including toilet  operations, can be supported by alternative water sources. This is where water harvesting systems


play a crucial role. By capturing, storing and reusing water that would otherwise  reduce their demand for potable water while contributing to wider sustainability objectives.  Rather than allowing rainfall to drain away unused, modern rainwater harvesting systems can capture water


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