Southern heralds first community to be designed with water efficiency in mind

Water efficiency is to be hard-wired in to the Fawley Waterside development on Southampton Water in what Southern Water said was an industry first.

The water firm has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the developer so smart systems and sustainable water and wastewater treatment will be constructed as part of Fawley Waterside's wider intelligent infrastructure.

Specifically, the landmark development will integrate new innovations including:

• onsite wastewater treatment with a potential to connect with food waste recycling and processing to enable renewable energy generation;

• separated drinking and toilet flushing water for the new homes – this is supported by potential grey water recycling/rainwater harvesting on a landscape scale;

• smart water meters for each property with in-home displays; and

• an integrated Smart Urban Drainage System for the site which will use natural processes to retain rain run off for storage.

Ian McAulay, chief executive of Southern Water said, “We are delighted by the positive attitude and understanding of our sustainability plans and goals shown by all of Fawley Waterside's leadership team. This Memorandum of Understanding is a vital step in delivering the first example of a community designed with water efficiency in mind.”

Water efficiency manager Ben Earl added: “We have set the hugely ambitious targets for this exciting development. This is part of our UK-leading campaign called Target 100, which aims to help our customers to use an average of 100 litres of water per person, per day by 2040. Reaching these ambitious targets simply can't be done without new innovations and incentives for our customers – which is why we are thrilled to be working with Fawley Waterside to include features which will make the target not just possible but easily reachable.”