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Don’t use a brick to save water
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It is absolutely right that we need to become more aware of the vast quantities of water that we all use in the UK. The rate of growth in our water usage is unsustainable and we should all endeavour to cut down from our current excessive levels.
The water supply companies in the UK are doing a lot to highlight the facts and the pressure is on to reduce consumption, particularly in the bathroom. Some companies are giving away cistern displacement devices to reduce the flush volume in WC suites. Others are giving away flow restrictors for use in tap and shower supply pipework.
These freebies are great in highlighting the need for water conservation. But members of the BMA are increasingly worried by the rise in the number complaints they are receiving from consumers who have used these devices but have then found that their bathroom products don’t work correctly and in some cases are damaged. Of course, it is not the original product which is at fault but the incorrect use of the water saving device which has caused the problem.

So, some words of wisdom from the experts.
Cistern displacement devices. These may be bags, bottles or even bricks. The idea is to place one of these in the cistern and immediately save water by reducing the flush volume. Take care! These devices will cause problems if used in a cistern which has been installed within the last decade. Modern low volumes WCs are carefully designed to clear and cleanse the bowl. Using a displacement device will stop the WC working correctly and the use of more water, not less, inevitably results. Additionally, some plastic devices will deteriorate over a period of time and when they crumble they can block the drains.

Flow restrictors. These apparently simple devices can be installed in the supply pipework to taps and showers. However, if used in ignorance, they can cause serious problems. Examples are coming to light of consumers installing the free restrictor to the cold supply of an instantaneous electric shower. The resulting reduced flow can be beyond the tolerance of the shower causing it to fail, dangerously and irreparably. Take care! Don’t install a flow restrictor if it will impair the performance of a highly technical bathroom product. Damage can be the result.

So what is the solution?
The only real way to save water in the bathroom is to install new products which have water efficiency designed and built in to them, at the factory.
Members of the BMA are working hard to develop innovative and super-efficient bathrooms and details of them can be found at the new website www.water-efficiencylabel.org.uk/
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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