In response to the growing challenge of water scarcity, DEFRA have launched a consultation on the Building Regulations Part G water efficiency standards. Water scarcity is already constraining house building within areas of water stress, such as the Sussex North Water Resource Zone and Cambridgeshire. Meeting the housing targets set by the government will require changes to water efficiency standards in order to avoid a shortfall in water supply in the future.
The main consultation proposals are:
- An option to review the minimum Water Efficiency Standard in new homes from 125 litres/person/day to 105 litres/person/day and the optional technical standard from 110 litres/person/day to 100 litres/person/day.
- A revision of the water calculator methodology.
- If water reuse/recycling systems should be required under Part G.
While many new homes are already incorporating water saving measures to achieve the current optional tighter standard, this revised standard would push daily water consumption lower, helping to alleviate water stress as well as reducing household water bills. There are water efficient fixtures currently on the market, including shower heads with flow rates of 6-9 litres per minute. These would likely be required across more developments in order to comply with the new, tighter standards.
The consultation is seeking evidence from housebuilders to ensure that the updated standards are ‘well-informed, relevant and effective.’ The consultation runs until the 16th December and can be found here.