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Theme

Water efficiency and reuse

Using less water, and reusing what we have, at the scale of a single home or a whole neighbourhood.

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EWSC Outputs

What the EWSC programme published on this theme.

All EWSC Outputs
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Dec 2025 · EWSC, Arup, United Utilities

Environmental Incentives – A Standardised Approach for the Water Sector

Reviews environmental incentive payments by English water companies and proposes a standardised approach across the sector, building on Ofwat's 2024 Environmental Incentives Common Framework. Addresses incentives for water efficiency, rainwater/greywater reuse, SuDS, water offsetting, and flow regulation to promote water smart housing.

Guidance
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2025 · EWSC

Building Standards Part G Consultation – EWSC Response

EWSC's response to the Defra consultation on water efficiency in Building Regulations Part G, advocating for a single national fittings-based standard equivalent to 95 l/p/d and mandatory water reuse for developments of 100+ properties.

Policy & Regulation
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2025 · EWSC

Managing Rainwater Where It Falls

Submission to the Independent Water Commission making the case for a National Rainwater Management Strategy, combining rainwater harvesting for water resources with SuDS for flood and pollution management.

Policy
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2025 · EWSC, Waterwise

Bridging the Skills Gap for Water Reuse in the UK

Scoping study identifying the critical skills gap in the UK's water reuse sector, particularly in plumbing, and calling for accreditation schemes, training programmes, and regulatory clarity to enable safe delivery of water reuse systems.

Research
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Mar 2025 · EWSC, Arup, SH&SW, Aquality

Enabling Water Reuse in the UK: Single Source of Truth

Consolidates UK regulations and guidance on non-potable water reuse, highlighting ambiguities in legislation around 'wholesomeness' and gaps in standards from concept through to operation.

Guidance
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Nov 2024 · EWSC, CIWEM

Water Reuse in New Housing: Understanding the Business Case

Assesses capital costs of community-scale and on-plot water reuse installations across 12 housing developments, finding community-scale stormwater reuse most cost-effective at ~£1,500–£3,400 per plot for sites over 100 units.

Cost & Benefits

Resources

Guidance, research and policy from across the sector.

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Sep 2022 · Waterwise

UK Water Efficiency Strategy to 2030

National strategy setting 10 objectives for UK water efficiency including demand reduction to 110 l/p/d, smart metering, water-neutral new development, and retrofit programmes, targeting savings of 1,500 Ml/day by 2030.

Guidance
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Ongoing · Waterwise

Waterwise Water Efficiency Database

Free searchable hub of water efficiency research, reports, policy papers, and case studies, serving as a key reference portal for the UK water efficiency evidence base.

Guidance
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2025 · UKWIR

Improving Approaches to Demand Forecasting

Latest UKWIR guidance supporting robust household and non-household demand forecasting methodologies for WRMP29 and beyond.

Guidance
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Ongoing · UKWIR

UKWIR Research Library

Searchable library of over 1,000 open-access water sector research reports covering drinking water quality, carbon, resilience, demand management, and infrastructure innovation.

Research
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Mar 2026 · DWI (with Cranfield University advisory group)

DWI Governance Framework for Rainwater Harvesting and Greywater Reuse Systems

Regulatory roadmap recommending a single Approved Code of Practice for water reuse, risk-based framework aligned with WHO Water Safety Plans, improved training and accreditation, and quality standards for non-potable water.

Guidance
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Nov 2025 · Environment Agency

Water Resources 2024–25: Analysis of Water Industry Annual Performance

Annual review of water company performance on leakage, demand, supply, and drought resilience. Key finding: 19% of water still lost to leakage, PCC remains over 136 l/p/d.

Evidence

Case Studies

All case studies
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Cambridge·3,000 homes

Eddington, Cambridge

The UK's largest rainwater recycling network, in a working neighbourhood.
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Cambridge·1,254 homes

Knights Park, Cambridge

Water reuse designed into private housing from day one.

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