Measuring Water Efficiency: Best Practice and Implications

1. Measuring Water Efficiency:Best Practice and Implications  Rob Lawson Entec

2. 2 Water efficiency according to the water industry Measuring water efficiency - best practice Future implications of best practice The way forward? Presentation Summary

3. 3 Water Efficiency and the Water Industry Initial activity focussed on cistern displacement devices (Hippo) and water audits Seen as ‘quick hit’, making use of available technology at the time Some time before effect of activities were fully examined Research is still patchy and incomplete However, industry to proactive step with UKWIR project.

4. 4 Original Project Drivers Statutory obligation Report activities in June return A lot of devices issued Some investigations undertaken Little industry collaboration No standard terminology Regulatory pressure

5. 5 Aims and Objectives of the Project Collate Water Efficiency Research Develop framework of Best Practice options Undertake demonstration projects Respond positively to regulatory pressures

6. 6 Introduction Three Year Project Split into Six Stages Focus on ‘real-life’ issues of water efficiency studies development of best practice guidance review of demo project experience Guidance has developed over the project demo projects have improved knowledge more detailed (e.g. statistical guidance) We consider Final Report provides sound basis for definitive water efficiency investigations

7. 7 Project Summary Stage One 18 Industry Interviews 38 projects reviewed Draft Best Practice Guidelines Developed Stage Two 5 demo projects became 14… Stages 3-5 ongoing support to demo projects identification of common themes refinement of guidelines Stage 5 Report - basis for Final Report Stage 6 Final Report and Project Launch

8. 8 Key Points Flowchart provides overview of iterative process Guidance Study Design, including: good project management study costing risk management definition of study objectives sample size definition monitoring location and monitoring period methods of data analysis.

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10. 10 Other Useful Bits Example of study development Demo project experience summarised Bibliography of other projects and relevant studies Best Practice Checklist Development of common language - Glossary

11. 11 Main Observations from the Study Definitive results are expensive Large samples Household/appliance level monitoring Reasonable monitoring period Financial constraints will result in some trade-offs Less ambitious study objectives are often needed Risk management is an important step Good study design is paramount.

12. 12 Study Conclusions Benchmark for water efficiency investigation established Water efficiency studies are not straightforward Conclusive and definitive results are expensive to achieve Budgetary constraints will limit what projects can deliver Transferability of results between regions is still difficult.

13. 13 Study Recommendations A step change is required to build on work done to date Appropriate investment should ensure future studies deliver conclusive results at reasonable cost This is a fundamental pre-requisite of supply-demand balance submissions Regulatory support is essential Maximum benefits can be derived via inter-company collaboration, building on existing partnerships and initiatives.

14. 14 The Way Forward Water efficiency can be a meaningful way of managing the supply demand balance Definitive numbers must be determined via suitably funded collaborative research This requires the formation of Water Savings Trust Inputs from water companies, EA, Ofwat, DEFRA, suppliers and manufacturers Implementation of water efficiency could help to reduce future uncertainty in demand forecasts This would simplify the SDB planning process, and may be more cost effective than resource development.

15. 15 Final Thoughts Water efficiency can only prosper within an appropriate wider framework that includes appropriate: regulations planning controls financial incentives for water companies, developers and householders. This inevitably requires customers to pay for what they use The opportunity to manage future demand for water is out there - who will grasp it?