The Evidence Base Print


















In England, Waterwise was the only NGO to sit on the Environment Minister's Water Saving Group (WSG), which was set up in November 2005 to promote the efficient use of water in households in England. The WSG held its last meeting in November 2008. The WSG took forward six work streams: Waterwise was responsible for ‘Information needs: gaps, priorities and funding’.

As part of this work stream, Waterwise produced the Evidence Base for Large-scale Water Efficiency in Homes. Building on the research of UKWIR, specifically on the WR25 series of reports that outlined best practice guidance for planning and implementing water efficiency programmes. This project collated and analysed most existing large-scale water efficiency projects and has used the data to identify savings associated with a range of water efficiency measures. Findings were then used to develop best estimates of savings, costs, uptake rates and installation rates in order to create a series of scenarios of cost-effective, large-scale water efficiency programmes.

The results from the Evidence Base for Large-scale Water Efficiency in Homes are especially important for comparing water efficiency measures with new resource development options in the water resources planning process, for which this report was timed to provide best available evidence in the lead up to the Price Review 2009. The Evidence Base will also help water companies in England meet their water efficiency targets. And it will be helpful during the Scottish price review.


The Evidence Base was advised by a Steering Group chaired by Anglian Water’s Regulation Director, Jean Spencer, with other members drawn from Water Saving Group stakeholders.


Phase II of the Evidence Base for Large-scale Water Efficiency in Homes was published in February 2010 with support from former WSG parties. Phase II seeks to build upon and improve the work presented in the Evidence Base report published in October 2008.


Phase II of the Evidence Base for Large-scale Water Efficiency in Homes (PDF)

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