Portfolio of publications
The list below is of the research and evaluation work that we’ve done or been involved with. If you would like a copy of a document, and there is not link, please Contact us.
In progress
Promoting energy efficient washing (funded by Pilkington Energy Efficiency Trust), report expected early 2012, in partnership with KR Social Research, contact is Joanne Zygmunt.
Tap into Savings programme evaluation (funded by Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), reports expected early 2012, contact is Joanne Zygmunt.
Save Water Swindon project evaluation (funded by Thames Water, WWF and Waterwise), report expected mid-2012, contact is Dani Myers.
Plug-It: examining the role of intermediaries in the water sector in helping communicate water issues and water-saving measures to the general public (funded by Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), in partnership with SEED Foundation and Policy Studies Institute, report expected late in 2012, contact is Dani Myers.
Data analysis of Southern Water’s Universal Metering Programme (funded by Southern Water), ongoing, contact is Ike Omambala.
Tools available to business to quantify and reduce the impacts of their water use (funded by Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), underway with BIOS, contact is Ike Omambala.
2011
Energy Saving Trust. EU Life+ project: combining water and energy efficiency. Energy Saving Trust and Waterwise. Summary report (PDF) and Evaluation report (PDF)
The EU Life+ RENEW project promoted the water-energy links and benefits to consumers in the UK. It tested the effectiveness of different communication and marketing approaches on water efficiency, to improve consumer awareness and encourage behaviour change. This short report outlines the findings from this pilot project.
Omambala, I. Evidence base for large-scale water efficiency: phase two, final report. Waterwise. PDF
This report will help companies start to build the case for their future water efficiency retrofitting projects in both price reviews and water resources management plan processes. The recommendations included in this report suggest ways in which water companies, manufacturers and retailers can help to make water efficiency a more viable option.
Omambala, I. Evidence base for large-scale water efficiency: phase two, retrofitting schools. Waterwise. PDF
Schools spend at least £70 million per annum on their water bills – over 31,000 Ml of water are used by schools in the UK every year. Water companies are already carrying out excellent work helping schools to reduce their water consumption, saving them money on their bills. This report provides guidance for water companies to assist them in their planning of school retrofitting projects.
Omambala, I. South West Water WaterCare scheme home audit project analysis. South West Water.
Rathouse, K. Feedback from focus groups on the Home Saver Check. Southern Water.
Rathouse, K and J Zygmunt. Behaviour change plan for Southern Water. Southern Water.
Tompkins, J and J Zygmunt. Integrating water into the activities of the Low Carbon Communities Challenge communities: a scoping study. Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
2010
Atkins and Waterwise. Ensuring water for all: scoping study. Environment Agency Southern Region. PDF
The Environment Agency Southern Region commissioned Atkins and Waterwise to update existing knowledge on water efficiency so that regional stakeholders could make informed decisions on progressing water efficiency as part of wider multi-stakeholder strategies. This document recommends the most effective ways of achieving savings at a regional level.
Higgins, V. Water efficiency and the water companies: a 2010 UK review. Waterwise. PDF
This review supplements the technical content of the Waterwise Evidence Base, and summarises each water company’s water efficiency activities, and gives details of future projects.
Icaro Consulting, Waterwise and Ipsos MORI. Water retrofit policies review: the household perspective. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Omambala, I. Evidence base for large-scale water efficiency in homes: phase two interim report. Waterwise. PDF, and the appendix PDF.
Phase II was developed with support from the Water Saving Group and builds upon and improves the work presented in the original 2008 Evidence Base report (far below). It provides better guidance for water companies on water efficiency project rollout, an improved policy framework, more informed project scenarios for better water efficiency project repeatability and improved guidance on water efficiency investment decisions.
Rathouse, K and J Zygmunt. Customer focus groups on Southern Water’s universal metering programme. Southern Water.
Rathouse, K and J Zygmunt. Scoping study final report: attitudes to water efficiency in Environment Agency Southern Region. Environment Agency Southern Region.
Russell, N and S Bremner. Water efficiency advice to businesses in Wales: gap analysis. Environment Agency Wales.
Watters, C. Water efficiency in new developments: a best practice guide. Waterwise. PDF
Waterwise East has produced this guide, which aims to support developers, housing associations, self-builders and others to deliver water efficient new developments.
2009
Boarder, P, A Murphy and B Hooper. Preston Water Efficiency Initiative. Waterwise. PDF
The Preston initiative succeeded in reducing water demand in social housing. The project was a partnership between the Government of the South East, Reigate and Banstead Council, Raven Housing Trust, Sutton and East Surrey Water, the Environment Agency, Surrey County Council and Waterwise.
Omambala, I. Water efficiency retrofitting: a best practice guide. Waterwise. PDF
This update to the 2008 guide (see far below) summarises current best practice for water efficiency retrofitting, for those wishing to carry out large-scale projects and for water companies wishing to carry out water efficiency trials to contribute to the Evidence Base.
Savills. Attitudes to water efficiency, a survey. Waterwise.
Walker, G. Evaluation of the water saving potential of social housing stock in the Greater London Area. Greater London Authority. PDF
This study was commissioned with the aim of estimating the potential reduction in water consumption in social housing stock through water efficiency retrofits, and in particular through the delivery avenue of an updated Decent Homes Standard that would include water efficiency criteria for water-using fixtures and fittings.
Walker, G. The water and energy implications of bathing and showering behaviours and technologies. Waterwise. PDF
A desk review of all available data and reports relating to water and energy use attributable to personal washing in the home. Evidence for baths and showers is reviewed and policy suggestions made based on identified policy, research and retrofit gaps and opportunities.
2008
Bochereau, N et al. Evidence base for large-scale water efficiency in homes. Waterwise. PDF
This report highlights possibilities for refitting domestic properties to save water, which could provide an additional way for water companies to balance supply and demand whilst reducing household bills and saving both water and energy. This report was the first of the Evidence Base programme.
Hooper, B and J Tompkins. New homes benchmarking: is water consumption in new homes more than in existing homes? Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Hooper, B and J Tompkins. Water efficiency audit programmes: a best practice guide. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. PDF
A short guide for water companies summarising best practice for creating and managing new water efficiency projects to reduce household demand. The guide was updated in 2009 (see above).
Walker, G and J Tompkins. Health technical memorandum 07-04: water management and conservation. Department of Health, Estates and Facilities.
Zygmunt, J. Water efficiency labelling: existing initiatives in other nations. Market Transformation Programme. PDF
This study reviews existing water labelling initiatives in Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Ireland, the USA, Singapore, and China. The overall purpose of the review is to draw out some lessons that may be applicable to water labelling initiatives in the UK.
Zygmunt, J and G Walker. Water and energy consumptions of dishwashers and washing machines: an analysis of efficiencies to determine the possible need and options for a water efficiency label for wet white goods. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. PDF
This report examines whether there is a need to address the water consumptions of washing machines and dishwashers, with particular examination of the relationship between energy efficiency and water efficiency. The report then considers options for addressing the water consumption of these appliances, focusing particularly on labelling.
2007
Sims, C. Propensity to retrofit: social and other influences on likelihood of uptake of water efficient devices. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. PDF
This report draws on previous research, literature reviews, and survey responses from the South West Water WET project and the Essex and Suffolk home audit project in order to recognise if there is a well-developed set of socio-demographic profiles for who is most likely to engage in water efficient behaviour.
Walker, G. International experiences of sub-metering: an analysis of four case cities to inform planning for domestic metering in the Greater London Area. Greater London Authority. PDF
International cases of sub-metering initiatives were investigated and the associated failures and successes discussed with reference to the feasibility of sub-metering implementation in Greater London.
Zygmunt, J. Hidden waters: embedded water and water footprints. Waterwise. PDF
Did you know that there is water embedded in everything, including your burger and trousers? The average Briton’s water footprint is an astounding 3,411 litres per person per day! This is an issue briefing from Waterwise.
2006
Sims, C. Garden watering restrictions: a review of hosepipe ban legislation. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. PDF
A review of international models of external water use restrictions, and recommendations for addressing the shortcomings in the approach to hosepipe bans in the UK.
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The values that guide our work
