Having already explored the work by Unilever in creating a more sustainable company, they offered more information into the work they are doing in order to reduce water use wherever possible, because as a company they use water both directly – in the manufacturing of their products – and indirectly – particularly through the farmers who grow the raw materials and the consumers who use our products at home
The video below explains how Unilever's brands rely on water at every stage of their lifecycle and what they are doing to reduce the impact this has on the environment...
In relation to the Interior Design/Architecture Industry, RIBA has estabilished a number of 'Design Strategies' as part of their 'Sustainibility Hub' which aim to provide a list of sustainable strategies that can be applied at the early, conceptual stages of design in order to bring together the environmental, social and economic issues when designing a sustainable structure.
One aspect of these Design Strategies, addresses the use of water conservation which explores ways to sustainably manage this resource:
What is it?Water conservation is a design measure to establish more efficient use of water in order to reduce loss, use and waste. The intention is to reduce water demand and this can take several forms: water recycling, water saving devices and water storage areas. In households and businesses this involves water saving devices, water efficient equipment and recycling. In industry and particularly agriculture this can involve a change in production methods, such as drip irrigation over flood irrigation, wet silage based food products and improved rainwater harvesting and use. Why use it?Water is a precious natural resource and its sustainable management is essential to protect the water environment and to meet current and future demand. The average person in London uses 156 litres per day, 50% more water than we did in 1980. In London (mirrored by the rest of the UK) the population has grown by approximately 10% in the same period. Mean average rainfall is predicted to fall in the east of the country, affecting the highly populated southeast. We cannot sustain water consumption at this level nor rising consumption, therefore, we need to reduce consumption and conserve more water. Water supply is likely to rise in cost, therefore introducing water saving devices can also save costs on utility bills. When to use it?Water conservation measures should be used in the early design of all new buildings to deal with growing demand and ever growing shortages whether it is for residential, industrial, agricultural or commercial use. In existing buildings it is still possible to reduce water consumption through new fittings and fixtures such as low/dual flush toilets, aerated taps. Grey water recycling is far more expensive to retrofit than from the outset but and rainwater harvesting can be installed even if only to irrigate the garden.
Water conservation is a design measure to establish more efficient use of water in order to reduce loss, use and waste. The intention is to reduce water demand and this can take several forms: water recycling, water saving devices and water storage areas. In households and businesses this involves water saving devices, water efficient equipment and recycling. In industry and particularly agriculture this can involve a change in production methods, such as drip irrigation over flood irrigation, wet silage based food products and improved rainwater harvesting and use.
Water is a precious natural resource and its sustainable management is essential to protect the water environment and to meet current and future demand. The average person in London uses 156 litres per day, 50% more water than we did in 1980. In London (mirrored by the rest of the UK) the population has grown by approximately 10% in the same period. Mean average rainfall is predicted to fall in the east of the country, affecting the highly populated southeast. We cannot sustain water consumption at this level nor rising consumption, therefore, we need to reduce consumption and conserve more water. Water supply is likely to rise in cost, therefore introducing water saving devices can also save costs on utility bills.
Water conservation measures should be used in the early design of all new buildings to deal with growing demand and ever growing shortages whether it is for residential, industrial, agricultural or commercial use. In existing buildings it is still possible to reduce water consumption through new fittings and fixtures such as low/dual flush toilets, aerated taps. Grey water recycling is far more expensive to retrofit than from the outset but and rainwater harvesting can be installed even if only to irrigate the garden.
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