Scottish Water Launches Water Efficiency Drive With Miller Homes and Energy Saving Trust

Scottish Water is embarking on a partnership with the Energy Saving Trust and a number of developers in Scotland to increase its understanding of water efficiency. Miller Homes is one of the first developers who have volunteered as part of this trial.

Scottish Water is aiming to find out what measures work best in terms of water efficiency in new homes in Scotland.

Andy Wilson, Water Efficiency Project Manager, Scottish Water, said: “We approached Miller Homes who are collaborating with us, using one of their Edinburgh developments for the water efficiency trial.

“All of the homes will have monitors installed which measure water usage. We are currently installing the monitors and the Energy Saving Trust is visiting properties to ensure we know how many people are living there to help build our understanding of water use.”

Some of the homes in the trial will receive a visit from the Energy Saving Trust to promote water efficiency messages. Scottish Water can then measure the effectiveness of the messages from the data supplied by the monitors.

In addition to the partnership with Miller, other developers are also already working with Scottish Water on the trial. The utility firm is encouraging more developers and housebuilders to get in touch to see how water efficiency measures can benefit the sustainability of new homes.

Stephen Mason, customer services director, Miller Homes, said: “Miller Homes has an on-going commitment to continue developing the water efficiency of its homes. Our customers can rest assured that by buying new they are contributing to using less water and energy to go about their everyday lives.

“We are continuing to deliver high levels of comfort and expectations to our customers. Our homes are all installed with dual flush toilets and the latest taps, showers and radiators all use much less water and energy than those typically fitted before.”

The trial involves installing 2000 water monitors on customers supply pipes which automatically send text messages with details on consumption data over a number of years.

Scottish Water has compiled a range of web-based resources including videos, an online efficiency calculator and a host of other water saving tips at www.scotttishwater.co.uk/savewater.

Scottish Water is also working on an education programme that will encourage future generations to value water as a precious resource and inform young people about the role the utility plays in protecting the environment and sustaining wildlife throughout Scotland.

In addition, Scottish Water has been nominated in the UK Water Efficiency Awards 2014 for the Exemplar project on Scotland Category. The award winners will be announced 16^th June 2014.