Regulations for New and Existing Buildings
Regulation – Government Intentions and Policy Direction.Against a backdrop of climate change, energy supply security and need for more housing, the Government has outlined its strategy to improve the environmental performance of the built environment. In terms of water efficiency there are four main strands which are covered in this section.
New homes - A reduction in water consumption in new homes has been addressed by CLG through a review of Part G of the Building Regulations (that came into effect in April 2010) and the Code for Sustainable Homes. The Government also allows the planning system to go beyond regulations and mandate water efficiency targets in excess of the Building Regulations, provided there is local need. In addition it is compulsory to install a water meter in new homes.
Existing stock - To drive a sustainability agenda in the refurbishment / improvement of existing buildings a variety of initiatives are in place, including Energy Performance Certificates (although these do not make the links between water use and energy consumption), statutory duties on water companies to promote water efficiency and the regulation of individual fittings and appliances. In addition Part G requirements apply to all domestic refurbishment projects where there is a material change of use. The Existing stock section of the website has more information, including additional non-regulatory incentives for improving the water-efficiency of existing stock.
Water using fittings and fixtures - Individual water using fixtures and fittings are regulated though Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
Non-domestic buildings - Currently water consumption in non-domestic buildings is only addressed through the regulation of individual fittings and fixtures. Given the current advice from the Government, the main driver for water efficiency in private and public non-domestic buildings will be cost savings and various corporate social and environmental responsibility drivers. Tax reductions are available for businesses via Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme which enables businesses to claim 100% first year capital allowances on investments in technologies and products that encourage sustainable water use. The Non-domestic buildings section of the website has more information.
All these policy strands support the Government’s vision to reduce per capita water consumption (PCC) from a national average of approximately 150 litres per person per day to a more sustainable level of 130 litres per person per day (Defra 2008).
www.water-efficient-buildings.org.uk
New homes - A reduction in water consumption in new homes has been addressed by CLG through a review of Part G of the Building Regulations (that came into effect in April 2010) and the Code for Sustainable Homes. The Government also allows the planning system to go beyond regulations and mandate water efficiency targets in excess of the Building Regulations, provided there is local need. In addition it is compulsory to install a water meter in new homes.
Existing stock - To drive a sustainability agenda in the refurbishment / improvement of existing buildings a variety of initiatives are in place, including Energy Performance Certificates (although these do not make the links between water use and energy consumption), statutory duties on water companies to promote water efficiency and the regulation of individual fittings and appliances. In addition Part G requirements apply to all domestic refurbishment projects where there is a material change of use. The Existing stock section of the website has more information, including additional non-regulatory incentives for improving the water-efficiency of existing stock.
Water using fittings and fixtures - Individual water using fixtures and fittings are regulated though Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
Non-domestic buildings - Currently water consumption in non-domestic buildings is only addressed through the regulation of individual fittings and fixtures. Given the current advice from the Government, the main driver for water efficiency in private and public non-domestic buildings will be cost savings and various corporate social and environmental responsibility drivers. Tax reductions are available for businesses via Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme which enables businesses to claim 100% first year capital allowances on investments in technologies and products that encourage sustainable water use. The Non-domestic buildings section of the website has more information.
All these policy strands support the Government’s vision to reduce per capita water consumption (PCC) from a national average of approximately 150 litres per person per day to a more sustainable level of 130 litres per person per day (Defra 2008).
www.water-efficient-buildings.org.uk
