Building on CIBSE’s success in addressing the carbon issues associated with climate change, the institution’s new president, Professor John Swaffield, argues that water is the new carbon.

Over 100 000 l of water falls each year on the roof of an typical 4-bedroom family home in the UK, compared with the 70 000 l a year used by a typical family for flushing toilets, washing clothes and outside use. Harvesting that water is the solution to the water stress that is experienced in much of England, explains Steff Wright.

Low pressure and poor flow rates can cause serious water problems at existing and new-build properties. Darren Cooper explores the issue and suggests various solutions.

Rehau has installed its own rainwater recovery system at its newly expanded factory in Amlwch on Anglesey to meet a significant percentage of its non-potable water requirements. The company has also installed its storm-water management scheme to reduce the disruptive effect of heavy rainfall on the site.

Armitage Shanks’s Aridian waterless urinal has been awarded the Waterwise Marque for products that highlight water efficiency or reduce water wastage.

The adapting of 11 urinals to use no water at Bromley College of Further & Higher Education is expect to save nearly 3500 m3 of water a year.

There is absolute no need for scalding accidents associated with domestic hot water, as Martin Strom explains.

Rotex has launched two rainwater storage tanks designed to work inside and outside buildings. Variocisterns are available with capacities of 750 and 1000 l to collect water from the roof of the building. These tanks can be linked to increase capacity and the water used for flushing toilets and washing clothes.

In response to the requirement in Part L of the building Regulations for water in hard-water areas to be treated to inhibit the build-up of limescale, Kinetico now offers a water softener that does not require electricity.

If a building does not have sufficient demand for hot water to justify installing storage cylinders or investing in renewable systems like solar thermal, how can heating specifiers ensure that the hot-water delivery is as efficient as possible? Jon Cockburn suggests some options.

Hydrotec’s Hydroion range of salt regenerative water softeners comes in 12 sizes to serve flow rates o up to 17 m3/h. All units are available in simplex and duplex formats with timer or flow proportional control. Bespoke solutions can be produced for higher flows.

Stuart Turner has launched a new generation of its Monsoon pumps for boosting water pressure in the home.

A rainwater-harvesting installed by Stormsaver at the new Innovation Centre at the University of Exeter has help the project achieve the top BREEAM rating.

Many of Mira’s instantaneous electric showers are accredited with the BMA Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme. The scheme, introduced by the Bathroom Manufacturers’ Association, is designed to help the consumer easily identify water-efficient products that, when installed and used correctly, use less water than other products on the market.

Armstrong has launched a range of packaged variable-speed multi-pump booster sets. The 6800 IVS series features Soft Fill, an automated process to reduce the risk of hydraulic shock damage and water hammer by controlling the pump speed to ramp up gradually to a fill setpoint.

Optiflush flush controllers for urinals from Pegler Yorkshire are used in schools throughout Derbyshire. One of the most recent installations is a school in Belper.

Stuart Turner has launched an improved version of its Showermate pumps. There are significant technical improvements to the motor and pump head, with a carbon/ceramic seal and controls.

Washrooms are inevitably major users of water, but their water consumption can be reduced considerably, and with financial benefit, using a range of automatic controls. Geoffrey Gestetner explains how.