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The New Age of the Water Efficient Bathroom
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There is a relentless drive towards greater water efficiency in the bathroom. And quite rightly so. The age of toilets designed to flush with three gallons of water have long since gone and exciting development work in bathroom products is leading the way in reducing the amount of water used by everyone in the UK.
Yvonne Orgill, chief executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association takes a look at the latest water efficient products.
“The progress to sustainable and water efficient bathroom products has been swift and successful” says Orgill. “The challenge of the new Code for Sustainable Homes and the demand from eco-savvy consumers has encouraged the industry to react quickly and positively. The latest Revised Part G of the Building Regulations is also concentrating minds. Some new products have been adapted from existing designs, others have been created from the bottom up and this has been a lengthy and involved process of concept design, development, testing and marketing.”
Low Volume WCs
Inventors of the WC in the late 1800s would not recognise a toilet suite of today. Back then flushing with 15 litres of water was the norm. If a pan flushed away six apples and a cloth cap then it was deemed acceptable! Today, WCs are technically advanced, created to flush fluids with as little as 2.6 litres and yet still meet the requirements of all current standards.
Showers and taps
The development of showers and taps has been focussed on reducing water flow whilst still maintaining the demand for a “good experience”. A user wants a shower to give a refreshing drench, and a tap to fill the washbasin or bath quickly. These new products meet that demand but also contribute greatly to the push for sustainability.
Aerated shower heads, which break up the water flow with air sucked into it are now quite common. The resulting shower uses less water but gives a good drench.
Tap manufacturers are developing valves with ‘click stop’ technology. The internal ceramic valve gives a tactile and audible click so that users can tell when the tap is on full or half flow. If a user needs to fill the washbasin a full flow would be chosen but if the user was cleaning his or her teeth then a half flow or less would be sufficient.
Low capacity baths
Manufacturers have responded quickly to the need for low capacity products and there have been two solutions. The first and easiest has been the lowering of the overflow hole. The other solution has come from clever internal shaping which reduces capacity. Shapely designs are now appearing which have a total volume as low as 120 litres - way below the current allowed maximum of 230 litres.
Water Efficient Product Labelling Scheme.
Products which are extremely water efficient are continually being added to the BMA’s, Water Efficient Product Labelling Scheme. This database of products – online at www.water-efficiency.org.uk - helps the choice of products which achieve set water efficient standards.
The labelling scheme is recognised by government and has rapidly developed into a key reference for bathroom buyers who are urged to “Look for the Label”.
Further Information
For further information please email info@bathroom-association.org.uk or telephone 01782 747123 and visit www.bathroom-association.org

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