Hi 

We thought you might be interested in the story, below.

It discusses the rise in greywater reuse across the UK's commercial sector.

We have several case studies - a leading architectural practice and a top UK leisure centre - which have experienced significant reductions in their water consumption, and its associated costs, since using the technology.

We're happy to contribute editorial to the publication, if that would be of interest, and we have good-quality supporting pics.

Best regards,

Louise

07891 242476, Loop PR 

THE GREYWATER IS RISING

Businesses are increasingly turning to innovative water recycling technology to reduce their water bills and lessen their environmental impact.

That's according to UK-based, Reaqua Systems¹, whose technology enables the collection of waste-water (so called ‘greywater') from sinks, baths and showers and recycles it for use in flushing toilets.

Suitable for retrofit as well as new builds and designed for use in residential, commercial and municipal properties, the greywater reuse system reduces the mains water needs of a building by up to 30 per cent and is designed to be easy to install and use.

A revised plumbing set up takes all waste-water from baths and showers, redirecting it through a filtration unit where it is automatically treated with a disinfectant. This treated water is collected in a tank and pumped on, as required, to supply all the flushing water needs for multiple toilets in a building.

London-based, award-winning architectural practice, David Morley Architects is among an increasing number of businesses to fit the technology in their commercial premises.

Camilla Morley, David Morley Architects' environmental development consultant, said: "Our demand for hot water has increased over the past three years as we have been encouraging a cycle to work policy, supported by additional new in-office showering facilities for our staff. As a company which keeps abreast of progress in sustainable development in all areas of our work, we felt it was both economically and environmentally sensible to fit this technology and an opportunity to set a positive example to our clients.

"The reAqua system reduces our water consumption by up to 30 per cent by recycling the shower water on the first floor to flush the two downstairs toilets, supporting our ‘more with less' approach to design."

Reaqua Systems' CEO, Stephen Bates, said: "As most buildings in the UK have only one water supply, we have, until now, had little option but to put up with the confused logic of using drinking quality water to flush toilets. The costs associated with the water treatment process, both financially and environmentally in terms of the energy used, are significant and greywater reuse technology represents an immediate and simple way to reduce water demand across the UK.

"With more and more employees cycling to work, and requiring a shower when they arrive, we're seeing increasing numbers of businesses turning to this technology to cut costs associated with water usage, as well as improving their sustainability profile."

An optional feature of the Reaqua System ingeniously allows heat to be extracted from the building's greywater, before it's recycled, so it can be fed back into the central heating system. The reAqua+ fits a heat exchanger to the grey water reuse link between the bath, shower and toilet flush and recaptures around 50 per cent of the heat energy from the bathing water, feeding it back into the building's hot water system reducing fuel bills as well as enabling a two-fold reduction in CO₂emissions.

Prior to the introduction of this technology, water efficiencies have been a challenge to achieve for businesses². Water rationing technology, such as low flow showers and low flush toilets, have attracted criticism. Consumer feedback has queried the value of this technology with critics highlighting disappointingly low flow rates from showers or, worse, blocked waste pipes. Research³has shown that using low-flush toilets may not provide sufficient movement in small pipes to carry away solids, leading to blockages and flooding, and additional evidence suggests that these devices may act as a false economy with users running low flow showers for longer in order to improve their experience.

Stephen Bates added: "Aside from reducing water consumption, we also want to be in tune with the way people choose to wash. Unlike flow restriction technology, which is often criticised for producing an increased risk of blocked sewage pipes and disappointingly low flow rates from showers, greywater reuse offers the industry the chance to make considerable water efficiencies, without relying on the end user to make unpopular adjustments to their habits. Bathing luxury with a conscience has arrived."

-Ends-

Notes to editors

For further information please contact Louise Evans at Loop PR on 07891 242476.

1. Reaqua Systems Ltd was originally formed as a corporate venture by Scottish Southern Energy plc to explore energy reduction and greywater reuse. Subsequently spun out under investment funding from Scottish Equity Partners, and backed by Scottish Enterprise, Reaqua Systems has established a factory in Livingston to serve its UK and overseas customers.

The reAqua+ unit is SAP Appendix Q recognised as well as WRAS Approved, whilst both systems can satisfy bespoke planning conditions and are also relevant to BREEAM. The WRAS approval number is 1401051.

More information can be found at reaquasystems.com

2. The link between greywater technology and improving water efficiency has already been made by industry leaders, Ideal Standard. It has teamed up with Reaqua Systems and code assessors, Stroma, to offer a specific package of greywater and sanitary ware options which, if fitted in combination, are guaranteed to achieve significant and quantifiable water efficiencies. 

3. ^‘Pull the Chain, Fill the Drain' CP367 - ‘The effect of reduced water usage on sewer solid movements in small pipes' by A. Drinkwater, F. Moy, L. Poinel. Published October 2009.