No single person can solve the water problem on their own, but we can all make a difference.

What is water neutrality and Net Zero Water?

“For every new development, water demand should first be minimized, then any remaining water demand offset, so that the total demand on public water supply in a defined region is the same after development as it was before”

Definition from Waterwise 2021

Water neutrality has multiple benefits

01. SAVING WATER

According to Waterwise around 112m3 could be saved every year for each water neutral built home.*

02. SAVING CARBON

Around 43.8kgCO2 equivalent per household per year could be saved on carbon emissions arising from water supply. *

03. REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

by decreasing the amount of water abstracted from rivers and groundwater resources. *

04. IMPROVING RESILIENCE FOR THE FUTURE

by minimizing the additional pressure on water resources and networks. *

05. ENABLE FUTURE HOUSING GROWTH

in water scarce areas by reducing the impact of new homes and buildings on the water environment and preventing water resources being a constraint to growth. *

06. REDUCING SEWER FLOWS

by using less water, recycling greywater and harvesting rainwater. *

*Waterwise 2021 – a review of water neutrality in the UK

How to achieve Net Zero Water/ Water Neutrality?

01. INSTALLING WATER EFFICIENT DEVICES

e.g. low flow taps, dual flush toilets etc.

02. INSTALLING WATER REUSE SYSTEMS

e.g. rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling or other water reuse systems.

03. OFFSETTING ANY REMAINING WATER DEMAND

in the same catchment area by e.g. installing water efficient devices or water reuse system on other properties/projects.

1 and 2 would be achieved within the development itself. 3 would have to be done elsewhere – offsite.

HOW TO CALCULATE WATER NEUTRALITY?

As per building regulations, you are obliged to achieve a minimum of 125l/p/d in a new development. In water stressed areas this is reduced to 110l/p/d. This includes 5l/pd for outdoor use.

You will have to show that the new development achieves this by providing a water efficiency calculation. Additionally, you would have to show the offset in a separate calculation meeting the left-over potable water demand shown in your previous calculation.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Water use might vary over time due to a change in behaviour or a change of occupancy.

Moreover, water reuse systems will have to be maintained. Therefore, monitoring of water use is likely to be a requirement.

How can Net Zero Water help?

We are offering a wide spread of services, which provide professional water management solutions:

Helping with your development plans by:

  • Advising on how to integrate water neutrality most efficiently in your development
  • Calculating the likely water consumption
  • Advising on the best suited water efficiency measures
  • Sourcing the relevant product suppliers or directly providing the products offering installation services
  • Maintaining equipment
  • Monitoring performance including regular reports

Helping with your offset requirements:

  • Finding appropriate offset sites
  • Providing the necessary survey to establish the water saving potential
  • Providing evidence of the water saving
  • Sourcing the relevant product suppliers or directly providing the products
  • Offering installation services
  • Maintaining equipment
  • Monitoring performance including regular reports
  • Or provide offset certificates from our own schemes