Water Efficiency in Buildings

Theory and Practice

Kemi Adeyeye

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN: 9781118456576
• eBook ISBN: 9781118456606
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Construction & Architectural Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

This reference source on water efficiency in buildings provides comprehensive and up-to-date information. Both multi-disciplinary and practical, it signposts current knowledge, innovation, expertise and evidence on an important subject which is high in the resource management debate.

Water Efficiency in Buildings: a review of theory and practice is structured into five sections: Policy; People; Building Design and Planning; Alternative Water Technologies; and Practical Examples & Case Studies. This final section of the book presents new and current practice as well as lessons learnt from case examples on the use of water saving technologies and user engagement.

Current evidence is vital for effective policy making. The dynamic nature of issues around water resource management creates a higher need for robust and reliable data and research information that can inform policy and regulations.

This compendium provides a roadmap for researchers and building professionals on water efficiency as well as for policy makers and regulators. The case studies and research presented fall within the water supply and demand spectrum, especially those that focus on process efficiency, resource management, building performance, customer experiences and user participation, sustainable practises, scientific and technological innovation. The benefit and impact of the research is at the localandnational level, as well as in the global context.

Section 1

Policy

Water as a limited or scare resource is increasingly valued particularly in areas where water resources used to be abundant. This is due to the fact that water availability is increasing unpredictable, and climate and rainfall patterns change. The rising demand due to population growth and indiscriminate use for human activities is also a key factor. For instance, water use in buildings; direct water use for washing, cleaning or indirect use e.g. hot water and space heating, is substantial. In Europe, water use in buildings account for about 21% of total water use and this figure does not represent the environmental impact associated with the abstraction, supply of water to buildings as well as the environmental and ecological cost; e.g. chemical pollutants in water courses, and treating waste water. To this end, legislative instruments and directives such as the European Union Water Framework Directive have become necessary tools to provoke immediate solutions to address water resource management as a whole.

The United Nations Millennium Development goals, as a global objective, highlighted the importance of assured water availability through better water resource efficiency. First and foremost because access to safe and secure water is essential for basic quality of life. It is however the responsibility of national and local governments to take the action to implement these global objectives within their local circumstances. This section highlights the importance of national water policies but emphasises localised or context-led implementation.

This policy section of the book presents an overview of policy and regulatory processes in three different climatic contexts. It discusses the role of government to ensure water supply, the nature and regulation of the water industry, as well as policy influences such as interest groups and the general public. Starting with the United Kingdom, the first chapter reviews the different policy and regulatory context in the various regions of the country. It focusses on the regulatory context of England and Wales to highlight how the nature of the water industry influences the approach and role of policy makers. It then reviews policy for water use efficiency, highlighting the importance of public engagement and buy-in in the implementation of water-efficiency policy. A stakeholder study of policy for water efficiency is then presented to highlight the inherent constraints to delivering holistic water-efficiency solutions. The findings from this study are then presented under key policy areas identified by the government. From the findings, the policy constraints are identified but opportunities to innovate and do things differently are also discussed. This chapter concludes with recommendations to promote innovation and positive change for water efficiency through improved evidence processes, communication and multi-stakeholder involvement.

Water availability in the UK varies across the country. As a result, the water industry operates in and adapt to a range of factors; environmental issues, changes in users’ behavioural patterns, lifestyle, population growth, dated water infrastructure, etc. However, these challenges are not unique to the UK and many countries around the world are facing infrastructural, social, climatic and environmental challenges in the bid to secure future water supply. Therefore, there are many opportunities to learn from countries where water challenges are an emerging, or established problem. Hence, the next chapter which reviews water policy and regulation in a water stressed region. The chapter presents the water resource issues for the country and discusses the policy approach; both traditional and modern, as well as the role of the various levels of government in implementing water policies. Similarly to the previous chapter, it discusses water policy priorities and enumerates the short, medium and long term opportunities and constraints in this policy context. The chapter then highlights what works well and areas of improvement. The chapter concludes with context-driven and context-independent recommendations.

The third chapter explores water policy in the Mediterranean context. The Mediterranean countries have some degree of specificity when it comes to water resource efficiency and use. For example, the predictions of water stress are much more critical. There are also specific climatic challenges such as the coincidental hot and dry season, which makes it difficult to implement certain water-efficiency measures, such as rainwater harvesting. The chapter discusses these issues within the political context of Portugal. It discusses recent policy collaboration between government and stakeholders, working in partnership to propose and promote context-led water-efficiency policy, regulations and technical guidance for the country. Several policies for efficient use of water are presented, including a system of voluntary labeling of products.

This section commenced and concludes by highlighting the role and importance of the water user and stakeholder involvement and engagement in water-efficiency policy, particularly in buildings. The section as a whole also affirms the localised nature of water. Even though water resource issues have global consequence, there appears to be a consensus that in certain circumstances regional, localised policy strategies are often required to target regional differences, including; geo-climatic variations, cultural requirements and rural-urban differences.

The key points of this section can be summarised as follows:

• Water efficiency in buildings requires both legislative and voluntary instruments. Legislative drivers can be used to create a positive environment and collective will in order to achieve national or global sustainability objectives.
• Global and national resource efficiency goals are important, however, water resources still remain, to a large extent, a local commodity.
• Therefore, water-efficiency policy should be adaptable for different regions and contexts and consider local factors such as environment, climate, physical and building characteristics, technological availability, cost and socio-cultural factors that may influence the extent to which they are effective. This is because universal measures may not always be applicable or implementable in certain areas.
• Public engagement and buy-in is crucial for effective policy making. Understanding water user needs, preferences and perceptions could help to improve uptake of initiatives as well as the public response to water-efficiency policy.
• Water-efficiency policy, led and promoted by non-governmental stakeholders and the general public, should be encouraged. An example of stakeholder contribution to water-efficiency policy and implementation was presented in this section.
• Water efficiency policy should be informed by robust evidence, and effective means should be used to communicate this evidence to the public. Water efficiency messaging should have more depth in order to raise the knowledge capacity of the populace. Knowledgeable water users are more likely to make informed, and sustained, positive change to save water.
• It is also for this reason that policy makers need to move beyond the rhetoric and provide clear guidance and standards for implementing water efficiency, particularly in buildings. These guidelines should not only cover ‘quick fix’ solutions such as water saving fittings and products but should promote holistic solutions including water reuse and recycling.
• Certification, accreditation, tariffs, metering or labelling schemes are useful ways to inform and promote knowledgeable decision making in building providers and their clients. However, these schemes should be based on robust methodologies and singular in approach and message.
• Water efficiency policy for buildings should cover all types or buildings; new and existing.
• Lastly, it is imperative to close the gap between energy and water-efficiency policy.

1

Water Policy and Regulations: A UK Perspective

Kemi Adeyeye

School of Environment and Technology, University of Brighton, UK

Introduction

Water resource management is at the forefront of policy objectives in both developed and developing countries. This originates from current water availability and stress in certain regions, as well as evidence of future resource uncertainty. UNESCO (2006) predicted that some 20% of the increase in water scarcity in the coming decades will be caused by climate change and stated that about 1.1 billion people around the globe already lack sufficient access to safe drinking water. Recent figures on Europe show that some 120 million people in the region do not have access to safe drinking water (UNESCO, 2012). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) also predict that water stress will increase in Central and Southern Europe, and by the 2070s, the number of people affected will rise by 16 to 44 million. Similar to global action for the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the business-as-usual scenario is becoming less of an option. The call for action is, however, supported by pledges made by political leaders in global forums such as the Rio Earth Summit. In the UN Millennium Declaration (2000), the international community pledged to stop the unsustainable exploitation of water resources by developing water management strategies at the regional, national and local levels, which promote both equitable access and adequate supplies. Signatories also promised to halve, by 2015, the proportion of people who are unable to reach or afford safe drinking water.

At the core of any demand management strategy is water efficiency; the optimised use of water commensurate with need, which is not based on objective indicators only but considers equally subjective need. This implies that water efficiency does not stop at water conservation. Water efficiency also acknowledges essential water use; this means that it does not simply advocate the reduction of water consumption to an extent detrimental to consumer health or welfare. Instead, an understanding of customer behaviour and need is realised such that water is used optimally. Water efficiency is also about systems-led integrated solutions such that water waste is eliminated through behaviour, technology and infrastructure efficiency.

This chapter presents the policy and regulatory framework for water and water efficiency in the UK. Using data from interviews, it explores the opportunities and constraints for proposing and implementing policy for human water use efficiency and concludes with some practical policy recommendations.

Water policy and context

Water policy encompasses the management of resources, regulation of abstraction activities, maintaining the balance between supply and demand through the efficient use of water, as well as consulting, informing and educating the public to make the choice to minimise water waste. The GWP Technical Committee (2004) report advocated an integrated approach to water resource management and water efficiency strategies, proposing that:

• Policies and priorities take water resource implications into account, including the two-way relationship between macro-economic policies and water development, management and use.
• There is cross-sectoral integration in policy development.
• Stakeholders are given a voice in water planning and management, with particular attention on securing the participation of women and the poor.
• Water-related decisions made at local and river basin levels are in line with, or at least do not conflict with, the achievement of broader national objectives.
• Water planning and strategies are integrated into broader social, economic and environmental goals.

UK policy, regulations and the industry context

Governance, policy and regulations for the water sector vary in the UK home nations and are informed in most parts by the nature of the water industry. For instance, Scotland and Northern Ireland operate a public-owned water industry whilst England and Wales operate a privatised monopoly market system. In Scotland, Scottish Water – a public sector corporation, provides the public drinking water and sewerage services and the Water Industry Commission serves as the economic regulator to protect consumer interests and regulate the company’s finances. This role is fulfilled by the Utility Regulator in Northern Ireland, who also regulates the electricity and gas sector. Non-domestic water customers in Scotland are billed according to metered consumption. For domestic customers, household water and sewerage charges are billed and collected by individual local authorities, together with Council Tax. The Council Tax is a local taxation used to part fund public services provided by local authorities. In 2013–14, the average hous...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title page
• Copyright page
• About the Editor
• About the Contributors
• Foreword
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Abbreviations
• Section 1: Policy
• Section 2: People
• Section 3: Building Design and Planning
• Section 4: Alternative Water Technologies
• Section 5: Practical Examples and Case Studies
• Advertisements
• Index