Water crisis highlighted at HBF Technical Conference

More than 60,000 homes in the south east of the country are set to be delayed due to water scarcity, 49,000 of which could be built if they used 30% less water than stated requirements, according to Catherine Moncrieff, head of policy and engagement at the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.

Speaking at HBF’s Technical Conference in Birmingham, Moncrieff cited the figures in relation to the government’s 1.5 million new homes target. The homes stuck due to a lack of water in the region would need to have a low water allowance of 80 litres per per person per day to alleviate shortages, Moncrieff said.

Moncrieff spoke as part of a water matters panel, exploring the various aspects of the water challenge – an emerging subject of concern - including water scarcity, flooding and water pollution.

She gave an overview of the Enabling Water Smart Communities (EWSC) project, which looks at how to integrate water solutions into the design stage of new homes, building them into the fabric.

Reaching the 80 litre mark in new households would mean “more than just water efficient taps and toilets”, Moncrieff said. The industry would need to move …