Water, water everywhere

by John Glen
NBS Technical Author

Despite the recent flooding in Cumbria, and water watchdog OFWAT's announcement that water bills must remain 'broadly flat' for the next five years, many designers and specifiers recognise a need to incorporate water saving measures into their projects in 2010.

It could be argued that the recession should not thwart such initiatives and that whatever the economic forecasts, the built environment must play its part in water conservation. Often there is a high demand for water where rainfall is relatively low, as the water companies have been keen to point out in response to the OFWAT determination on price limits. And the water supply industry is a big consumer of chlorine and electricity, hardly environment-friendly commodities.

Fortunately, the technology for rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling is relatively simple and the hardware widely available. Users of NBS Building and NBS Engineering Services will find a wealth of specification clauses and guidance on the subject.* So there is no excuse for some cost-effective and timely action to ease the impact of providing the 150 litres per person per day we are said to use.**

* See, for example, work sections R10, R11, R12 and S17

** Environment Agency

Related NBS information:

Articles:

• Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)
• Minimising the impact of future flooding
• Part H: Drainage and waste disposal

Selected links:

• Drainage, sewerage

Written December 2009

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