Regulation is stifling water recycling uptake, report finds

Greywater recycling uptake has been hampered by “complicated, ambiguous and obstructive” regulation and standards.

That was said by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) in a review of water reuse systems and their implementation in England and Wales.

Water recycling systems are an alternative water supply for end-uses such as toilet flushing, watering a garden or washing vehicles, which would reduce freshwater demands.

Although used in other parts of the world, the UK has not widely adopted such systems. With water resources under strain, the use of greywater or collected rainwater is anticipated to become more prevalent.

The report by the DWI, together with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), found that regulatory standards and guidance for dual pipe recycling systems are “arguably complicated, ambiguous and obstructive to the growth of the water recycling sector”.

It suggested clarity was necessary around required water quality for different intended domestic purposes.

The report concluded the low price of drinking water, low awareness of water scarcity, and costs to install recycling systems could be hampering their widescale adoption.

It also suggested that property developers may lack confidence in the technology and so opt to remain risk-averse in the face of regulations that could be clearer and tighter.

“If safe non-potable water uses are to be part of our water future then there is a strong case for the development of a suite of water quality standards specific to application (e.g. toilet flushing) and level of risk exposure which solution providers can work to.”

It called for building regulations to be more consistent and for greater consideration to be given to the design, installation and commission of reuse systems in new builds.

Its suggestions centred around better understanding of how systems will operate and ensuring they are installed by properly qualified and approved contractors to avoid risks of misconnections or contamination.

Around one-third of the schemes the DWI assessed had been decommissioned, mainly for economic reasons despite reducing water costs.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We support the development of resilient supplies of water, part of which is looking at alternative options to meet future demands such as water recycling, which could play an effective and increasing role in securing water supplies.

“We are aware that several water recycling scheme proposals are being developed by water companies and it is their responsibility to demonstrate in their Water Resource Management Plans how they could secure water supplies sustainably using water recycling schemes, taking into account demand management and other supply options.”

Northumbrian, Severn Trent, Thames, United Utilities, Portsmouth and South Staffs have all implemented schemes to incentivise home builders to achieve water neutrality. The companies offer a range of discounts to fit water efficient devices at new property developments.