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Water efficiency in the spotlight
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Water efficiency is in the spotlight and the use of water in our bathrooms has, quite rightly, come under increasing scrutiny by our Government. Its water strategy for England, Future Water was published in February 2008. This strategy set out the Government’s long-term vision for water management in England. Then the Code for Sustainable Homes was launched just three months later in May 2008. And this year the Building Regulations Part G will become law in October. Additionally, all new homes in England will have to be Carbon Neutral by 2016 and water efficiency will play its part. So the pressure is on.
The Bathroom Manufacturers Association represents the 75 major bathroom brands in the UK and its trade members have responded positively and quickly to this revised legislation. Excellent new water saving bathroom products with ground breaking designs have come to market in recent months.
Super efficient low flush WCs, low capacity baths, and low volume taps, showers and handsets have been launched. Additionally ‘grey water’ recycling products are gaining popularity and are being incorporated into new homes and commercial buildings.

Ultra low flush WCs
Today’s WCs are technically advanced with cleverly shaped water channels and fast flow sumps. They have been created to flush fluids with as little as 2.6 litres and still meet the requirements of all current standards. Many members of the BMA now have at least one ultra low volume WC in their portfolio. Others have two or three styles to suit differing budgets. Some have cisterns with special top-up mechanisms which delay refilling until flushing is complete, guaranteeing no wasted water.

Low capacity baths
There have been two design solutions to the requirements for low capacity baths. The first and easiest has been the lowering of the overflow. 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 average of 180 to 200 litres.

Low volume taps, showers and handsets
The development of showers and taps has been focussed on reducing water flow whilst still maintaining the demand for a “good experience.” Reducing water flow with a restrictor is an easy solution to the requirements of water efficiency but manufacturers know that users don’t want a dribble of a shower or to wait ages to fill the basin or bath. So designs are now coming to market which maintain user’s satisfaction whilst still contributing to the eco-push.
Aerated shower heads, which break up the water flow with air sucked into it are now common. The resulting shower can use less water and still give a good and satisfying drench when the droplets of water explode on contact.
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.

The BMA’s Water Efficient Product Labelling Scheme
In anticipation of the push for water efficiency and to assist both bathroom professionals and consumers understand what water saving products are available the BMA launched its unique, web-based, Water Efficient Product Labelling Scheme (WEPLS) in September 2007. The scheme quickly became established and is now recognised throughout the industry, and by government, as the most useful guide to the very best in water efficient products.
Now, two years on, and to reflect the very recent and very major changes in bathroom product designs the scheme is being revised and upgraded. From the 1st September 2009 major changes to the scheme will come into force. It will be easier to understand with a completely redesigned and intuitive label layout. It will also include two new product categories, grey water recycling units and shower handsets. The scheme will expand with many more products being listed.
Yvonne Orgill, chief executive of the BMA, commented “for home owners, bathroom designers and housebuilders, WEPLS is set to reinforce its position as the main source of water saving product information. The new label design is easy to understand and gives all users a real and clear description of the product’s water saving credentials.”
The new label will have a familiar feel. Manufacturers who have succeeded in having their products listed within the scheme will be encouraged to apply the label to the product to show its “Water Efficiency Rating”
More information about the Water Efficient Product Labelling Scheme is available from the dedicated website at www.water-efficiency.org.uk/ . Changes to the scheme and the issue of the new labels will progress in the coming months.
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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