Reducing Water Usage of New Developments
A sustainable development should make efficient use of available water resources. 97% of the world’s water is seawater, 2.7% is polar ice, leaving just 0.3% as water usable for consumption. In the developed world, demand for water has increased by more than 70% over the past forty years as labor saving devices such as washing machines, dishwashers and showers have become commonplace. As developing countries become more affluent, their citizens tend to want similar labor saving products. Across the globe, increased urbanization and the need for more agricultural land to feed a growing population have combined to severely damage natural habitats and disrupt natural water cycles. In many parts of the world, the water cycle is being further disrupted by climate change. In some instances, water resources have already become a cause of political tension between neighboring countries and such occurrences are likely to increase as water security becomes more of an issue.
In order to achieve the goal of reduced water usage, developers should specify products that use less water than the alternatives or which make use of recycled water. Examples of such products include:
- Toilets that use less water to flush
- Smaller bathtubs that need less water to fill
- Washing machines and dishwashers with high water efficiency ratings
- Drought resistant soft landscaping
Grey water (waste water from sinks, baths, and showers) can be recycled on-site to provide the water needed to flush toilets and wash clothes. Rainwater can also be harvested and used for similar purposes. In the future, technologies may improve to the point where black water (waste water from toilets) can also be recycled and safely used for similar purposes.
However, specifying such products will not be sufficient by itself to reduce water consumption. The residents of new developments need to be taught how to change their water usage habits. Examples of changes that they can make include:
- Fill a bowl with water when washing fruit or vegetables and use the waste water to water plants
- Not leaving the tap running when washing teeth
- Only running washing machines and dishwashers when there is a full load
- Taking showers instead of baths, and keeping shower times to a minimum
Many developers now provide residents with information on how to minimize water usage via leaflets, brochures, and meetings. Installing water meters helps to reduce consumption, as when residents are billed for the exact amount of the water they use, they tend to use less.
As well as ensuring that water usage is kept to a minimum, developers also need to minimize the vulnerability of the properties they build by not building in flood prone areas. As global warming progresses, many areas of the world face becoming more prone to flooding. Water will become a threat to residents’ well-being and can have disastrous effects to life and property. Good planning and urban design helps to mitigate the impacts of flooding, thus ensuring the safety and security of residents.
Reducing Energy Usage of New Developments
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Reducing Water Usage of New Developments
Encouraging Biodiversity on New Developments
Reducing Construction Waste
Becoming a Sustainable Business
ISO 14001 Accreditation