Fair Water

Controlled testing

First-of-a-kind installation supports innovation in the UK water sector

Context

Fair Water, formally ‘Transforming Customers’ Lives: Integrated Pathways to Fair and Sustainable Water’ is a £3.7 million project funded through the Ofwat Innovation Fund.

The project is led by Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) with support from NeRV, Newcastle University, National Energy Action (NEA) and Procter & Gamble (P&G).

Its aim is to find fair, practical and affordable ways for households, particularly low-income, elderly and vulnerable customers, to use less water and energy, lower carbon emissions and reduce utility bills.

Solution

Water-recycling showers operate differently from conventional shower systems and are known to cut water and heat use by up to 80% without compromising experience.

They are currently sold in parts of Europe and North America but not in the UK due to compliance uncertainties.

NeRV was commissioned to provide a controlled real-world environment where Flow Loop – an innovative water-saving shower – could be tested.

The resulting evidence could then be used to support future regulatory clarification and market adoption.

Compliance and Controls

As the Futures Close install was a UK first, the team had to secure a Regulatory Derogation Permit via Northumbrian Water Group before proceeding.

This was a vital step in making sure that the installation could progress in a controlled and compliant manner, and provide valuable evidence on both performance and customer benefits.

Flow Loop was installed in the 1950s bungalow test property where researchers from Newcastle University and National Energy Action (NEA) successfully tested its performance and water-saving capabilities.

“Current regulation restrictions around the deployment of this technology made NeRV the perfect testbed.

“Our unique ‘street’ of test homes offered the research team all the benefits of a real-world domestic environment without disruption to customers.

“The resulting data provides valuable, independent evidence on the performance of recirculating shower technology.

“It also provides a robust basis for stakeholders and wider industry to discuss the opportunities and practical considerations about the role these products could play in achieving net zero.”

David Lynch
Decarbonisation Programme Manager, NeRV

Impact

The data gathered during testing means that the regulator and water suppliers now have independent evidence that …

contaminated water cannot enter the mains supply;
pathogens such as Legionella cannot proliferate;
filtration and UV treatment remain effective throughout the product life;
system failures default safely;
maintenance requirements are understood and enforceable.