Bob Purdom, Douglas Delabie, highlights the key issues of water efficiency and hygiene. He outlines product solutions available to facilities managers in making the washroom environment a more installer friendly, user friendly, water efficient and safer place.

Despite the importance of water sustainability, statistics still paint a depressing picture.

•  Each one of us uses 70% more water than 30 years ago
• Thames Water leakage due to London's Victorian-built sewer equates to 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools a day
• UK drought condition - lowest rainfall for 85 years
• Currently some reservoirs are 12 feet below their expected levels

However, if everyone turned the tap off when brushing their teeth, collectively in one week we'd save enough water to fill the Millennium Dome.

Water efficiency

With our underground resources threatened by increasing consumption (water usage has doubled in the last 20 years), water supply is fast becoming an unpredictable, unevenly distributed resource.

Therefore consumption habits must change. More effective water utilisation and waste reduction is essential. Water companies are investing in improving the necessary infrastructure and reducing the haemorrhage of mains water losses.

Historically in the UK, we have used domestic water control product solutions in commercial applications where both usage patterns and user demands are quite different. This is in part related to the historical use of low pressure systems.

Today's building designers have a new set of product solutions for commercial buildings

• Modern, aesthetic styling
• Deliver a safe and comfortable environment
• Combine proven design and product innovation
• Durable - long service life
• Water efficient - lower water and energy costs
• Delivers value for money
• Buildability - simple to install and easy to use

Shower control solutions

Consumer demand for improved safety and comfort has resulted in a massive growth in the installation of thermostatic shower valves in new and existing properties. Prior to the popularity of Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs), having adjusted the manual mixing valve to the required shower temperature, someone turning on a tap elsewhere or flushing a toilet would often result in fluctuating shower temperatures.

But the use of the 'domestic' thermostatic shower valve in the commercial environment - where the typical system pressure is 2.0 - 3.0 bar has substantial costs:

• Significantly adds to water and energy costs
• Increases the size and capacity of hot water generators and pipe work
• Increases drainage sizes in order to manage the excessive water supply

Table 1 gives us an overview of the water savings available when compared with the traditional 'Classic' thermostatic shower valve at 2.5 bar.

1. 'Classic' thermostatic shower valve without flow regulation
2. 'Classic' thermostatic shower valve with flow regulation at 10 lpm
3. Time flow shower control with nominal time 30 secs and regulated flow at 8 lpm.
4. Thermostatic electronic shower control, combines full thermostatic performance with infrared on/off control for maximum water efficiency.