Project Zero finds water efficient tech can halve consumption

(by Karma Loveday)

Project Zero, an Ofwat Innovation Funded project led by Affinity Water to explore the role of new housing developments in supporting water neutrality, has found homes designed to be water efficient can significantly reduce demand.

High-efficiency fixtures and appliances such as air-power showers, low flush toilets and water-saving washing machines were found to reduce household consumption by between 40% and 60%, while integrated water reuse systems could cut demand for drinking water by up to 23%. Around 25% of household water is used for things that don’t need clean drinking water, like toilets and gardens.

The project team analysed more than 6,000 water meter readings across 425 homes at Oaklands Hamlet in Chigwell between 2018 and 2024.

Project Zero concluded that with the right interventions, homes can operate well below current regulatory water efficiency limits, “demonstrating that building beyond minimum standards is achievable using technologies already available today”.

• The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has laid a statutory instrument to implement the policy choices emerging from its Future Homes and Building Regulations consultation from 2023. In a written statement to the House, parliamentary under secretary Samantha Dixon confirmed that from 2027, new homes and non-domestic buildings must emit 75% less carbon than 2013 standards homes, and that solar panels will be installed on the majority. Water standards had no part to play.