Water conservation and efficient use of water

Water conservation, efficiency, waste water systems and diffuse urban pollution

Water conservation and efficient use of water are becoming increasingly important considerations for designers and architects, equipment manufacturers and consumers.  The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) has been implemented in England since 2007 and since mid 2008 in Wales. Within the CSH are challenging water use targets that require the installation of very low flow taps and shower and may also need non-potable water supplies from collected rainwater or wastewater from baths and showers. To help designers and specifiers produce CSH dwellings that will utilise proven water using products, BRE's sister company, BRE-Global, has introduced an independent accreditation scheme by which products can be assessed and certified.  BRE has helped develop the BRE-Global schemes and can help clients to interpret the Code for Sustainable Homes and to guide the selection of appropriate fittings to achieve the desired level in the code. 

BRE has expertise in:

  • All aspects of domestic hot and cold water supply systems, including Legionella prevention.
  • Water using terminal fittings and appliances.  We can investigate the performance of, and help develop, fittings and appliances such as basins, sinks, taps, mixer valves, baths, showers, WCs, urinals, washing machines, dishwashers and food waste disposal units.
  • Greywater reuse and rainwater harvesting systems.  BRE has been evaluating greywater and rainwater systems for many years and leads the development of a new British Standard for rainwater harvesting (BS 8515). BRE is also contributing to the development of appropriate Standards for the installation and testing of greywater reuse systems.

Waste water systems

BRE can assist clients in the trouble shooting of problems with existing wastewater systems and in the evaluation of potential sites or designs of new wastewater systems.  BRE has expertise in all aspects of sanitary pipework systems, foul and surface water domestic drainage and sewer systems; including gravity drain and sewer systems, vacuum drain and sewer systems and pressurised sewer systems  We also advise on small wastewater treatment plants for domestic and commercial properties, design and build of constructed wetland systems (including reedbeds), and domestic wastewater infiltration systems; such as soakaways, mound filters infiltration trenches and beds .  Examples of our work include

  • Determination of the cause of persistent drain blockages.
  • Investigation into discharge consent failure at a wastewater treatment plant.
  • Elimination of drains as a cause of a water leakage problem.
  • Trials of innovative pipe ventilation products.
  • Investigation of poor drainage from a block paving surface.
  • Inspection of pitchfibre drainage pipes.