The Influence of Water
Regulations and policies on water conservation
Dr. Steve Tuckwell
Manager, Water Regulations Advisory Scheme
BRIEF BACKGROUND TO WATER SUPPLY BYELAWS
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Early provision of “water efficiency” – as much water as could be carried
by a woman.
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Need for control of waste
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Manchester and Salford Act
Major amongst purposes of byelaws was prevention of waste, misuse and undue
contamination of water.
Examples
Waste – leaking float-operated valve in WC
cistern tap due to worn washer.
- running the hot tap for an excessive time to draw hot water
through poorly insulated pipework.
Misuse – use of water to power a sink waste
disposal unit.
Undue consumption –an inefficient reverse osmosis water
treatment unit which rejected 80% of the water being used and produced
as purified output only 20% of the input.
Byelaws included measures for water conservation.
Similar purposes carried forward to Water Fittings Regulations
PROVISIONS OF THE WATER FITTINGS REGULATIONS FOR WATER CONSERVATION
Requirements for Water Fittings
Appropriate quality and standard and suitable for the purpose
Installations in a workmanlike manner
Well designed, properly installed –to give robust and reliable
systems.
Use of approved contractors to ensure compliance and stamp down on
“cowboy builders.”
Notification
Allows opportunity to “get it right first time”
With the Prescribed Conditions Regulations, allows water supplier
to require metering for high use applications (if desired).
Regulations require notification of high-consumption items and
potentially wasteful items (e.g. large bath, specified showers, RO units
and water softeners, irrigation systems, shallow pipework).
Reduction in water use
WCs
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Reduced flush volume;
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Permit alternative, more effective flushing devices;
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Allows more automation of flushing – on demand related to use;
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Re-introduces dual flush, with upper volume limit;
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Alternative to warning pipe – more visible to users.
Recommendation for maximum draw-off time for hot water
Enforcement
Increased publicity being given to Regulations
Increased inspection programmes
Suppliers can prosecute infringements
Now has the backing of criminal courts
Practical benefits and problems
WCs
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Reduced flush volume – ignorance of requirements; sales of larger WCs still
occurs.
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Concerns that 6 litres suites not working – design or installation?
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Self certification – Water Supply Industry and manufacturers unclear what
required.
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WRAS attempting voluntary accreditation of self-certification.
Dual flush – ignorance of permission to install it;
Barriers to further water efficiency
Prohibition on use of pressure flushing valves for WCs and urinals
in houses.
Retro-fitting dual flush to existing pre-1999 WCs.
Introducing interruptible flush
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