New industry guide tackles water scarcity with practical solutions for housing sector

The Good Homes Alliance (GHA), in partnership with industry leaders and supported by the Enabling Water Smart Communities project and the UK Water Efficiency Collaborative Fund, has launched a new publication – ‘Water Efficiency and Reuse in Housing: Design Guide for a Changing Climate’.

Developed for architects, developers, planners, and housing associations, the guide, authored and edited by architect Pollard Thomas Edwards (PTE), provides case studies, best practice, and industry insight to respond to the urgent need for ‘water-smart’ homes due to mounting water stress in the UK.

The guide offers practical, evidence-based design strategies to help housing professionals deliver on emerging policy and environmental imperatives. It includes model specifications for fittings, layout, and reuse systems – all geared toward meeting or exceeding the government’s 110 litres per person per day target. With the Environment Act and DEFRA consultations set to tighten regulations, the publication arrives at a critical moment.

As water scarcity begins to stall planning in regions like Sussex and Cambridgeshire, the guide moves beyond policy rhetoric and provides workable design and engineering approaches that can be applied today. It follows Waterwise’s established water neutrality hierarchy: reduce, reuse, offset – ensuring developers are equipped to respond to local and national demands.

Six detailed case studies are central to the guide. They showcase water-efficient housing in action at a variety of scales, from luxury developments in London to high-performance council housing and zero-carbon pilot homes. These examples demonstrate a range of approaches – from smart monitoring and fittings-based reductions to rainwater harvesting and community-scale greywater recycling.

In tandem, the guide explores the broader cultural and behavioural barriers to efficient water use, featuring commentaries from experts at the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), PTE, Watergate and Waterwise.

This is the second publication in our Designing for a Changing Climate series, following our well-received 2023 shading guide. As with the sister title, the new water guide aims to drive change in design practice, policy, and supply chains alike.

Nicci Russell, CEO, Waterwise, said: “Water scarcity is one of the UK’s most urgent challenges. Our water supply can no longer meet rising demand. As a society, we’ve doubled our water usage over the past 60 years, and the population has increased by 16 million since 1960. So there are more of us than ever before, we’re using more than our fair share of water – and we’ve caused a climate emergency, so there’s less water available when we need it!

“To get our water use down to the lower levels we need, we will need all homes and businesses to be water-efficient – not just the kit in them, but also the people using it! This guide is a vital step forwards in that goal.”

Andrew Tucker, Water Demand Reduction Manager, Thames Water, said: “Water companies have a huge role providing world-class drinking quality water to every house, every day. The growth agenda is driving for more homes, whilst a changing climate and environmental targets will reduce water availability. This challenge needs strong policy and clear guidance, so that future housing development is part of the solution and not adding to the problem. This document can help all players plan and build water efficient homes.”

Gareth Thomas, Commercial Director, Watergate, added: “Housebuilders and developers know they need to deliver water-efficient homes – but knowing where to start isn’t always easy. This guide bridges that gap. With ambitious new build targets ahead, we have a golden opportunity to design a generation of homes that are water-wise from day one, using the best of today’s smart tech and harvesting solutions.”

To download the guide, visit https://kb.goodhomes.org.uk/water-guide.