Solutions

Water Saving Retrofit

Cut consumption at the outlet without touching a pipe, a valve or a wall.

The problem

A building's water consumption is set at the outlets, but almost every retrofit proposal starts further back — at the valves, the pipework or the plant — where the work is disruptive and the payback is long.

How it is done

Start at the basin. A constant-flow aerator screws into the existing spout and holds a set rate while line pressure moves. One documented body runs 8-9 L/min across 150 to 550 kPa; another holds 7L at 3 bar.

Add the shower. A regulator fitted between the outlet and the hose brings the rate down without replacing the head, the hose or the bracket — the two in this range are specified F1/2 at 9L and F1/2" by M1/2".

Where a fixed number is enough, use a restrictor instead of a regulator: ABS and PP, 6 L/min in black or 9 L/min in the original colour.

Finish with the head itself where the budget reaches. The non-aerating turbo massage handheld saves 40% more water and energy than a standard 9.375 LPM head.

Savings quoted above are the figures stated for each product by the manufacturer, against the baseline named on that product's page. Actual savings depend on your supply pressure and the fittings being replaced.

Products used

Dual-Spray Kitchen Aerator with Swivel and Pause, faucet aerator – 4SimpleLife, Ecogreen United

Faucet Aerators