The longer-term environmental impact of the UKs water deficit could cause further damage to the natural
environment and could restrict future development. Combining the increasing Per Capital Consumption (PCC) with
the UKs growing population means that by 2050 the UK water deficit is predicted to be 5000 mega litres per day.
Future water plans include transporting water across the country and building new reservoirs. However, 65% of the water deficit will have to be met by a reduction in consumption. To help achieve this, all major water companies have been set PCC reduction targets of up to 11%.
At the recent Waterwise Conference, Helen Wakenham, Director of Water, Environment Agency stated that water efficiency ‘should be embedded into the plans we have for housing’. She continued ‘if water efficiency is embedded in our homes and our products it becomes easy to do’.
In addition to the immediate impact on water consumption, a water efficient home also benefits the occupants. Heating water accounts for approximately a quarter of energy used in UK homes, so there are significant reductions in both water and energy usage. 
Achieving PCC targets by building water efficient homes
Aware that water efficient homes are the key reducing consumption, OFWAT have established basic standards for new build homes. In all new properties, developers will be given financial rewards for designing in basic water conservation measures, known as the Common Environmental Incentive including low volume dual flush toilets, low flow taps and showers and water efficient washing machines and dishwashers. For achieving these standards developers will receive a rebate of £172 per property.
Water companies have the option to introduce enhanced standards for additional incentives and United Utilities are amongst the first to embrace this. From April 2025 additional financial incentives are available for the installation of a whole site flow regulator. These modulate the flow entering customer premises, so limiting the amount used by the customer. Without a degradation of service or any behavioural change, there is a ‘natural’ reduction in consumption. As these products are fitted to the main water supply, and not each individual outlet they remove any risk of consumer interference and ensure that minimum standards of water supply are maintained as specified within the Water Industry Act and Water Fittings Regulations.
Groundbreaker – the high reward solution
In any property with a meter Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo® can be installed between the water meter and manifold in any water meter enclosure. So, meeting the enhanced incentive standard, and receiving the additional rebate of £100 for an outlay of a maximum of £30.
Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo® has several flow modulation ranges are available which enable the perfect balance between usage reduction and service provision, and all meet or exceed United Utilities required flow rate. As an added benefit, the Groundbreaker’s LoFlo Check Valve systems have the unique property of providing whole site protection against contamination by back flow (up to fluid category 2) as standard, so protecting the water network.
A solution for all properties existing or new
Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo® can be installed in all properties with a water meter, with agreement of your water provider. There is also an in-line version suitable for unmetered properties. It a simple solution that will benefit occupants, the environment and help create a water secure future in the UK.
For further details please contact Groundbreaker Systems at www.groundbreaker.co.uk
• Steve Leigh is a Fellow of the Institute of Water and Managing Director of Groundbreaker Systems and was winner of the Home Builder Federation’s “Utility Individual of the Year for 2016”.
• Groundbreaker Systems won the HBF’s ‘Utility of the Year’ in 2018.
• Groundbreaker Systems are 2023 winners of the Building & Facilities News as Company of the Year for Innovation in Sustainable Water Management
Images © Groundbreaker
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