Memorandum submitted by Water UK
1. Water UK is the industry association
that represents regulated UK statutory water supply and wastewater
companies at national and European level. We are a policy-based
organisation and represent the industry's interests with Government,
regulators and stakeholders in the UK and in Europe. Our core
objective is sustainable water policy—actions and solutions
that create lasting benefit by integrating economic, environmental
and social objectives.
2. We are pleased to have the opportunity
to contribute to this inquiry. We welcome the inquiry and support
its aims. We would particularly stress the link between water
efficiency and the contribution of the existing housing stock
to climate change.
3. The heating of water in the home (for
baths, washing, etc—not including heating of water for central
heating) contributes around 28 million tonnes of CO2
equivalent each year. This is about 5% of total UK greenhouse
gas emissions and around eight times greater than the contribution
of the water industry in providing water and wastewater services
(treatment, distribution, etc).
4. Improving domestic water efficiency can
therefore have a significant impact on carbon emissions.
5. There are around 209,000 new households
every year but perhaps two million existing households each year
will have refurbished bathrooms and kitchens (approx 10% of the
housing stock). Hence the greatest effect will be if water efficient
fittings are also being installed into the two million properties
being refurbished.
6. Water companies have had a statutory
duty to promote water efficiency since 1996. Our members undertake
a range of efficiency work with domestic and other customers,
including audits, trials, pilots, campaigns, education programmes,
provision of information, expertise and water efficiency devices,
and so on.
7. Improvements could be achieved through
a range of measures including minimum water efficiency standards
for appliances and fittings such as taps, improved labelling of
white goods, reducing the length of pipe runs supplying hot water
and the inclusion of water efficiency requirements within Building
Regulations applied to refurbishment of the existing housing stock.
8. In relation to white goods, Government
could amend Section 29 (2) of Schedule 2 of the Water Supply (Water
Fittings) Regulations to lower the permitted maximum consumption
of water for white goods (currently dishwashers: 54 litres/cycle;
washing machines 162 litres/cycle).
9. Regarding enforcement, the Water Supply
(Water Fittings) Regulations already require the water supplier
to prevent undue consumption. Enforcement could be improved by
(i) permitting a charge to be made for inspection of new premises
for compliance, in the same manner as Building Regulations inspections
can be charged for and (ii) introducing point-of-sale control
of compliance. Other improvements could result from solicitors
and mortgage lenders being obliged to refuse to authorise the
purchase of premises unless the water supplier certified they
were compliant with the water efficiency regulations.
10. The efficient use of water is a matter
of behaviour as well as the design and construction of the building.
It is important that people are provided with advice on how to
use water wisely in the home in order to maximise the savings
that can be achieved. Government has a key role to play, along
with water companies and others, in providing such advice and
information.
11. Finally, we would urge the inquiry to
consider how best to promote rainwater and greywater systems.
There are energy (carbon), health, installation and other considerations
to take into account regarding greywater recycling and rainwater
harvesting. However, to achieve extremely low mains-consumption
levels or to balance a high water use, these systems may need
to be considered, but the sustainability of such options will
always need to be balanced with their energy consumption compared
to mains supplies and treatment.
| 
