Fluidmaster: Water Management; Toilets and Urinals

With the increasing spotlight on water conservation, there are surprising savings to be made through toilet and urinal specification.

Chris Mynette, Engineering and Development Manager from Fluidmaster takes a look at legislation, standards, guidelines and projects considerations for installation of toilets.

With thoughtful specification of both toilets and urinals, it’s possible to make some pretty surprising water savings, but all too often the humble toilet isn’t given much consideration. Toilets and urinals are part of a building’s water management system and can impact the efficiency of the building. In fact, a toilet leaking clean water from the cistern to the pan can waste up to 400 litres of water a day. This constant leakage adds to water usage and can potentially cost hundreds of pounds in wasted water.

The average water use per person per day is 143 litres in England and Wales.

Studies have shown that in the UK, current water usage has reached a peak and as a nation, we’re using more water per person than ever before. In fact, the average water use per person per day is 143 litres in England & Wales, 165 litres in Scotland and 145 litres in Northern Ireland and is growing by on average 1% per year. Figures also reveal that approximately 30% of water used in a home is used to flush the toilet!

So, it’s easy to see why potential for water-saving impact could be made, by reducing the amount of water used when flushing the loo, and by making sure that toilets remain as efficient as possible.

Why Choose Water Saving Products?

Many installers, building specifiers and end users are choosing long-term sustainability over initial cost. Modern sustainable urinal and toilet water management technology is highly efficient and contributes to lower running costs over the lifetime of a building. And when time is taken to choose easily installed and maintained product options; it’s also possible to ensure that any maintenance which needs to be carried out, is both quick and simple.

Another important reason behind the popularity of sustainable choices is the futureproofing of buildings, or investments, that sustainable and intelligent technology can provide.

What is Sustainability?

UK regulator OFWAT describes ‘Sustainable water’ as: “A sustainable water cycle in which we are able to meet our needs for water and sewerage services while enabling future generations to meet their own needs.”

Public opinion on environmental issues is rapidly changing as we are becoming increasingly aware of the effect our day-to-day choices have on the environment. Sustainability, along with wellbeing, is becoming the driving factor for the specification of products for commercial bathrooms.

This shows that water management scales all the way down to the end-user. And reinforces the need to consider the full water usage chain and implement effective management of water resources on all levels.

Sustainable Technology and Water Saving Products

Accelerating climate change with rising temperatures and changes in weather exacerbates the need to protect our already scarce resources and limit the amounts we are taking out of our rivers, reservoirs and other water sources.

Sustainable urinal and toilet water management technology is highly efficient and contributes to lower operating costs over the lifetime of a building. Another important reason behind the popularity of sustainable product choices is futureproofing of buildings, or investments, that sustainable and intelligent technology can provide. 

The operational and lifetime costs are connected to the efficiency of the technology and quality of products. Meaning that there is a clear financial benefit where sustainable developments are more desirable.

Occupant comfort also plays a major part in decision making and innovations in urinal and toilet water management technology provide end-users with greater comfort and safety. Features such as in-built height adjustable lifts for occupants with limited mobility or with specific access needs are important. Hygienic contactless controls and infrared sensors are also key for public areas where additional hygiene measures are important.

Looking Ahead

The introduction of intelligent technology and controls into our buildings is now generating results in terms of energy savings. Many installers are looking at intelligent water management systems as a holistic component of homes, offices and commercial buildings.

The ultimate aim would be to consider all management systems in buildings as a whole and focus on how resources can be utilised better, to improve processes, and recycle waste within the building infrastructure.

A more in-depth look at sustainability and water-saving through more efficient and sustainable toilet solutions is available via the new Fluidmaster CPD; A Guide to the Specification of Urinals and Toilets. For free online access visit: www.construction-cpd.com/guide-to-specification-of-urinals-toilets

Or visit: www.fluidmaster.com/united-kingdom-products/