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Study shows water saving systems can increase CO2 emissions |
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10 Sep 2010, 7:18 PM
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A UK study into rainwater harvesting (RWH) and greywater recycling (GWR) systems reveals that those systems in fact add to the energy use and CO2 emissions of homes, says the NHBC Foundation which commissioned the research. The increase in greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to the manufacture, installation, operational energy and carbon intensities of the systems in comparison to mains water. The research finds that the emissions increase can be as much as 100 per cent.
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The findings call for vital developments in RWH and GWR technologies and hint to necessary reviews of the government’s water efficiency policy. This is particularly relevant in light of encouragement for these technologies through the Code for Sustainable Homes and Part G of the Building Regulations.
The Energy and Carbon Implications of Rainwater Harvesting and Greywater Recycling report was published in August and researched by the Environment Agency with support from the NHBC Foundation and the Energy Saving Trust.
Neil Smith, NHBC Foundation’s Research Manager, said: “Both the Code and Part G apply universally regardless of whether homes are being built in watery Kendal with its 1500mm annual rainfall or arid Chelmsford with its mere 625mm. Is that logical?
“Whilst we may all agree that it makes sense to save water, is rainwater harvesting really the best way to do it?”
The study was conducted with the help of RWH and GWR system suppliers who were identifying a number of generic systems. These systems were assessed against selected building types including houses, flats, a hotel, an office building and a school.
Carbon footprints were then calculated over 15, 30 and 60 year system lifetimes plus four scenarios to explore the effects of future changes.
An exemplary calculation highlights the carbon emissions of an average 90m² house with a RWH system including a polyethylene tank: over 30 years the total carbon footprint is approximately 1.25 – 2 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
The research points out that there is scope for many technology improvements for systems to reduce their carbon footprints. Storage tanks, pumps and treatment system account for a large proportion of the embodied carbon footprint of rainwater systems but technological changes in these parts could result in significant carbon reductions.
The full report can be downloaded at: http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/SCHO0610BSMQ-e-e.pdf
The NHBC Foundation was established by NHBC in partnership with the BRE Trust to facilitate research and development, technology and knowledge sharing, and the capture of industry best practice in the pursuit of improved building standards for the new-build housing sector.
The BRE Trust is a charity for research and education in the built environment. Its chief goal is to ensure earnings from the companies it owns deliver against its charitable education and research mission. BRE is one of the companies owned by the BRE Trust and it is commissioned to undertake projects by both public and private organisations.
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Positive review of this story |
Water expert |
13 Sep 2010, 9:19 AM |
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Rainwater harvesting is designed to save water What isnt mentioned is that the energy use of a rainwater harvesting system is still relatively small, and that these systems are not a method of reducing C02, but are designed to save water, supplies of which are under severe strain. Whilst carbon emissions are a key problem to solve, it would pale into insignificance very quickly if we had no water to drink, wash and flush toilets which as we know can bring communities to a standstill within a matter of days. |
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