UK: minimum water efficiency standards for new buildings proposed

The Government has initiated a consultation on proposals to make minimum standards of water efficiency performance mandatory in all new homes and new commercial developments. The proposed measures aim to build on the Code for Sustainable Homes launched on 13 December 2006, and on the recommendations of the Water Savings Group. Installing relatively cheap products like low flush toilets and water efficient taps in new homes could reduce household consumption by 15-20 per cent, according to Angela Smith, Minister for Sustainable Buildings. The UK’s Environment Agency welcomed the proposals, but stressed that the real challenge was to make existing homes more water-efficient. Many parts of the UK, especially in the south-east, are already struggling to cope with existing water demand. Government plans to increase housing supply in England to 200,000 a year by 2016, will increase the need to conserve water. The consultation is being managed by WRc plc.