Conservation of water

The Water Supply Byelaws 2002 (the Byelaws) allow the installation of dual-flush WC flushing cisterns. Installed and used correctly they can achieve considerable water savings. The Byelaws require a reduced maximum volume of water flushed in newly installed WC cisterns – from 7.5 litres down to 6 litres. There is no prescribed lower limit. Only those flushing devices which meet the stringent specification approved by us will be allowed - these include drop valves. Mains pressure flushing valves and pressure flushing cisterns which are permitted in certain non-domestic premises. We encourage the use of displacement devices in existing flushing cisterns provided they do not lead, by repeated flushing, to a greater water use. There are proprietary devices available as alternatives to Save-A-Flush sachet but they must be used judiciously. Their installation must not result in additional flushing to remove faecal material nor must the displacement device impede the action of the float operated valve. We will permit the retrofitting of dual and interruptible flushing devices to WC cisterns which were installed before 1 July 1999. These Byelaws cisterns use 7.5 litres or more per flush and savings of 25% in water use have been shown in trials where dual flush was introduced. Retro-fit devices must not alter the available full flush volume and must meet the relevant parts of the current WC performance specification. There must be clearly a discernable method of operating the different flush volumes and clear operating instructions must be displayed on the cistern or nearby. The efficient operation of flushing mechanisms should be routinely checked.

The Byelaws require automatic controls on urinal flushing cisterns. Automatic and proximity controls allow great water savings. These also provide period flushing when there has been little or no use, i.e. no flushing in silent hours and at weekends. Water-less urinals are now available. However it is necessary to evaluate the cost of cleaning chemicals and manpower against the savings from fewer water fittings and the use of water. 

Infra-red or ultrasound sensors (proximity switches) can be provided to control the flushing of urinals and supplies to basin taps. Such sensors, in providing supplies precisely when required, save water. 

Properly adjusted for length of time and flow and well maintained, self-closing taps at basins and as controls for showers in schools and municipal buildings effect significant water savings. Taps, with spray outlets, either self-closing or of the manually closing type, can also reduce water consumption and may also be used with basins without plugs in certain circumstances – where spray taps discharge less than 3.6 litres per minute. Otherwise, basins shall always have plugs. The spray outlets of taps and the roses of shower outlets accumulate a manganese based scale in certain parts of the Island. Outlets should be cleaned regularly in order to provide a full, directional flow thereby discouraging repeated tap-opening actions leading to excessive water use. In areas of high mains pressures, flow restrictors in connections to taps will save water. 

Dripping taps should always be adjusted or the washer (or the ceramic disc) replaced. Water loss which may arise from a conventional tap is illustrated below.

Careful attention to pipe-work design can reduce the amount of cold water that runs to waste before 'the hot water arrives'. Care should be taken to route or lag pipes carrying water intended for drinking in order that it will not be warmed. Pipes carrying hot water should also be lagged to prevent heat loss and thereby reducing draw-off of tepid water. The smaller the bore of the hot water pipes, the less water is drawn off when hot water is required at the tap. 

Washing and dishwashing machines and other water using appliances that use the minimum amount of water or have the ecolabel should be specified. The manufacturer's instructions supplied with an appliance will indicate the volume of water use.

Warning pipes should be checked for discharge and remedial action taken to adjust or replace the washers of associated float operated valves. The floats of all float operated valves should be checked from time to time to ensure that they do not contain water, thereby sitting lower in the water and allowing the water level to rise above the correct water line. Lagging cisterns prevents undesirable tepid draw-off water temperatures in summer and freezing of water in winter.

'Point of use' heaters eliminate cold water run off. Heat sources and hot water storage vessels should be situated as close as possible to hot water outlet taps, to reduce cold water run off. 

Power showers (pump-driven) use more water than showers that are not pump-driven. Instantaneous showers (having a point of use heater) may use less cold water at initial draw off, than a shower connected to a hot water system. Low-flow shower heads can provide an effective shower.

Careful attention to predicting requirements can reduce the volume of water which is to be stored in cisterns. This can reduce the amount of water that is stored but remains unused.

Please contact us if you intend to use any irrigation system supplied with mains water that is intended to operate while unattended. 

Swimming pools supplied with water from the mains should be covered when not in use in order to reduce evaporation. The Byelaws require that we are notified of the construction of pools containing over 10,000 litres. Pools should be checked from time to time to ensure that they remain watertight. 

In areas of high mains water pressure, pressure reducing valves can reduce water wastage.

Car and vehicle wash plants should be installed that incorporate water recirculation facilities.

Greywater recycling systems for WC flushing and garden watering may only be connected to the mains water system via an air gap providing fluid category 5 backflow prevention (for example, Type AA or AB air gap).

Always use products and materials listed in the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme's Water Products Approvals Directory. 

Gardens

Lawn sprinklers are to be discouraged and must never be left on overnight. Watering gardens and hanging baskets by a hand held watering can will use less water than the use of a hose. Garden hoses should be fitted with self closing flow controls at the outlet end.

Water butts

Water butts at rainwater downpipe outlets should be used for retaining rainwater for garden watering. There are systems available which will allow the use of rainwater for toilet flushing. However, there must be no physical connection between the public drinking water supply system and the rainwater system or any system where used water i.e. bath water, is used for flushing toilets or garden watering. 

We have over 1700km of water mains and communication pipes. On top of this, you, our customers have many kilometres of supply pipes. To renew all these water mains and pipes would be an enormous project and because many water mains are under our footpaths, streets and highways, it would cause untold congestion. The cost of renewing water mains is in the order of £200 per metre. If you multiply this by the length of mains we have you will see the magnitude of the problem.

We invest around £1M per year in renewing water mains.

The Water Supply Byelaws 2002

The Byelaws Inspector can be contacted by telephoning (01624) 687687.

The Water Regulations Guidance outlines the regulations along with the Water Industry's recommendations for complying with them. It is published by and available from Water Regs UK.

The Water Products Approvals Directory lists products which have been tested and approved by the water suppliers for their compliance with the regulations.

Waterwise UK

You can find out more ways to save water by visiting the Waterwise website.