Water at heart of moves over standards in housebuilding

NEW REGULATIONS WOULD AIM TO CONSERVE PRECIOUS RESOURCES

- By REBECCA SPEARE-COLE [e-mail] @CambsLive

HOUSEBUILDERS will be required to fit water-saving features in new homes, such as aerated taps and dual-flush toilets, under Government proposals.

The Environment Department (Defra) has launched a consultation to strengthen water efficiency rules for new homes in a bid to boost housebuilding and save water.

Under the proposals, developers will need to include water-saving measures to meet these standards.

This could include aerated taps and showerheads, which increase air in the water stream to make the flow seem fuller and more powerful while cutting down the volume of water used.

Housebuilders may also have to fit dual-flush toilets, which allow users to choose the appropriate amount of water needed depending on what is being flushed. These all have been found to have minimal impact on user experience, with water pressure remaining the same as less water-efficient taps and toilets, Defra said.