Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Table of Figures
Figure 3-1 Water consumption for levels of the code................................................................3
Figure 3-2 Typical household water usage................................................................................4
Figure 3-3 Space requirement for daily output..........................................................................9
Contents
Table of Figures........................................................................................................................1
Contents....................................................................................................................................1
3.0 Category 2: Water - Wat 1 Indoor water use (Mandatory)...................................................2
3.1 Introduction
The internal water use is a mandatory element for every level; the limit of potable water use
depends on the level to be achieved. For level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes the
potable water consumption must be less than 105 l/p/day. The awarding of credits is based
on the predicted average potable water consumption, which can vary depending on lifestyle
and the number of occupants per dwelling. For the level 4 requirement of less than 105 litres
per person per day 3 credits are available.
The average water consumption can vary dramatically from 120 to 250 litres per person per
day as it depends on personal behaviour and the number of occupants per house. Therefore
taking an overall average of 150 litres per person per day2 the potable water consumption will
need to be reduced by up to 45 litres per person per day to achieve the level 4 rating.
http://www.green-office.org.uk/audit.php?goingto=factsheet5
Installing low water flow fittings and water efficient appliances can reduce water usage,
however this would not be sufficient to reduce the potable water usage to below 105 litres per
person per day therefore additional measures will be required.
A solution is needed so potable water is not used for the activities that do not require high
quality water. WC flushing, washing machine and garden water needs can be provided by
rainwater harvesting or recycled greywater with minimal treatment. The installation of
greywater recycling and water harvesting systems to provide up to 50% of household water
demands will prove beneficial in the long-term.
www.freewateruk.co.uk
www.bnm.ie
Each manufacturers system has slightly different variations. Water entering the tank should
be discharged below the minimum water level to calm the water and to prevent turbulence
that occurs with open discharge. Water should be extracted from just below the water surface
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www.envirocare.ie
to avoid debris and any sediment there may be at the bottom of the tank. This is carried out
using a floating suction filter, which maintains it position relative to the water level and a
submersible pump is used to pump water as needed to appliances7.
0.6 Advantages
of
rainwater
harvesting
and
greywater
recycling
Low maintenance
0.7 Development
For each of the developments additional measures will be put in place to reduce the water
consumption. Low flow taps will be installed for the wash hand basins and kitchen sinks as
they contribute a large percentage of potable water use. Low flow showers of 8 litres per
minute will be installed and a standard size bath that is cleverly shaped will reduce the
capacity to 140 litres9. The cistern capacity will be reduced from the standard 8 litres to a 6/4
litre dual flush. The reduction in the cistern capacity will not contribute to potable water
reduction as recycled greywater will be used and it exceeds demand. However it will reduce
the volume of greywater that will be treated. The recycled greywater will be used for toilet
flushing and the rainwater will be used for washing machines and garden use.
www.envirocare.ie
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water main is connected to the storage tank to act as a back-up supply. The storage tank has
a sensor to monitor the water level, when the level is low the water main automatically cuts
in to top up the tank, ensuring a water supply is maintained automatically11.
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www.envirocare.ie
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Daily Output
Space Requirement
5,000 litres
20 sqm.
10,000 litres
25 sqm.
20,000 litres
35 sqm.
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www.freewateruk.co.uk
maintenance of the greywater system as it is all controlled and maintained from a central
location.
Using the guidelines and tables in the Code for Sustainable Homes the potable water
consumption will be reduced to 100 litres per person per day achieving the level 4 target.
This is assuming that the 3800 potential occupants will be on site constantly, which will be
unlikely as a percentage of the residents will leave the development for work and other
purposes.
Two treatment areas will be required one for the north side and one for the south side, each
capable of treating up to 40000 litres per day. Although one treatment facility would be
slightly more economical there are a number of reasons for having two treatment locations:
In the event of a breakdown in one of the plants everyone will not have to resort to using
potable water and any excess treated water can be taken from the other treatment facility.
The size of the treatment facility is kept in proportion and does not visually impact on the
surrounding development, although its location has been carefully selected.
For health and safety purposes, in the unlikely event of contamination the affected population
is reduced.
As the topography of the site will be relatively flat a large network would increase the depth
of the pipes in the ground leading to increased costs of installation and any future
maintenance if required.
To have the installed pipe network laid in the road network, without placing it on the major
link road. Encase future maintenance work is required disruption will be kept to a minimum.
0.11 Cost
The cost of the system will be reduced due to it being installed during the construction phase
although an exact figure is not known. The low flow fittings and water efficient appliances
will add little or no cost as they are similar in price to standard appliances. When water
charges are introduced the installed systems will significantly reduce that cost, as well as
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reducing the cost associated with treating the wastewater. Water charges when introduced
will be approximately 1 per cubic metre and for sewerage discharge costs approximately 2
per cubic metre15. If these charges were in place the greywater recycling system would have
the potential to save up to 80,000 per annual and the installed systems would repay for
themselves within 2-4 years.
0.12 Conclusion
Installing low water flow fittings and water efficient appliances can help to reduce potable
water consumption however the significant reduction is due to rainwater harvesting and
greywater recycling.
Incorporating these systems within the development helped achieved the level 4 target of less
than 105 litres per person per day.
Sustainable Homes the potable water consumption will be reduced to 100 litres per person
per day for the residential units and 90 litres per person per day for the further education
campus.
Along with the many benefits it will also be economical for large developments if water
charges were to be introduced. With greywater recycling also reducing the wastewater to be
collected and treated.
15
http://www.niwater.com/waterandtradeeffluentcharges.asp
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0.13 Bibliography
Anderson Jane, The green guide to specification, an environmental profiling system for
buildings, 4th edition, Watford, IHS BRE Press, 2009.
Code for sustainable homes, technical guide, April 2008, London, Department for
Communities and Local Government, 2008.
Rainwater and greywater use in buildings, best practice guidance, D.J. Leg, London, CIRIA,
2001.
Roaf Susan, Ecohouse a design guide, Sue Roaf, Manuel Fuentes and Stephanie Thomas, 3rd
edition, London, Architectural, 2007.
Smerdon Tom, Sustainable housing options for independent energy, water supply and sewer,
Bracknell, Building Services Research and Information Association, 1997.
Tables for the hydraulic design of pipes, sewers and channels, 8 th edition volume 1, HR
Wallingford and D.
Bord na Mona website www.bnm.ie
Envirocare website www.envirocare.ie
Freewater UK website www.freewateruk.co.uk
Friends of the Earth http://www.green-office.org.uk/audit.php?goingto=factsheet5
Green Works website http://www.greenworks-energy.co.uk/water-conserving-bath.php
Klargester website www.klargester.ie
Northern Ireland Water website: http://www.niwater.com/waterandtradeeffluentcharges.asp
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