London Aquatics Centre & Kelda
Working in partnership with ENGIE, GLL and the London Legacy Development Corporation, Kelda showers were installed at the London Aquatics Centre to demonstrate how high-performance showering can also be highly efficient. The project achieved water and energy savings of up to 40%, while improving shower performance by 120%, delivering a premium user experience in a high-use, commercial leisure environment.
120%
40%
40%
4.3 tonnes
Project summary
In partnership with GLL Ltd, ENGIE and the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), Kelda Showers was selected to assess the water- and energy-saving potential of its Air-Powered™ shower technology at the London Aquatics Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
A trial installation involved the fitting of five Kelda Air-Powered™ showers within the pre-cleanse shower area serving the Training Pool. Shower usage and water consumption were monitored to evaluate performance in a high-use leisure environment.
An audit of the existing showers identified an average flow rate of 8.3 litres per minute. Kelda’s shower panels were set to 5 litres per minute, delivering 40% water savings while maintaining a powerful and consistent shower experience.
Our approach
Kelda Technology designs water-efficient shower systems for high-demand environments. Using proprietary air-powered technology, Kelda showers deliver high performance while significantly reducing water and energy consumption, supporting lower operational costs and reduced carbon emissions without compromising reliability or user experience.
Kelda Air-Power Technology
Conventional aerating showers rely on the Venturi principle to restrict water flow and draw in atmospheric air through a small hole in the showerhead. While this approach is a valid way to reduce water usage and alter the ‘feel’ of the shower, it offers no measurable increase in spray force or rinsing performance, regardless of flow rate, inevitably resulting in longer showers and more water waste.
In contrast, Kelda’s patented Air-Powered™ technology, inspired by decades of advanced aerospace engineering, injects water into a high-velocity air stream, transforming it into hundreds of MACRO droplets, each up to 2.5× larger than those from a standard shower. The result is a fuller, more powerful spray that delivers the sensation of more water while conserving it, providing a superior showering experience for every user.
Independent patent reviews confirm that there are no competing technologies that challenge or supersede Kelda’s technology.
Installation and Data Logging
Kelda’s water-saving shower panels were installed within the communal pre-cleanse shower area prior to entry into the Training Pool at the London Aquatics Centre. The Commercial Shower Panel TF was specified, featuring a timed-flow digital control set to 30 seconds to promote water reduction in a high-use leisure facility.
The installation also incorporated kSMART, Kelda’s shower monitoring and recording technology. This commercial shower monitoring system enables remote tracking of shower usage, allowing facility operators to better understand water consumption patterns across the site. Usage data is transmitted via the local wireless network and displayed through an online portal, supporting improved operational efficiency, water management and reduced running costs.
Data collected (kSMART, February–March 2020):
– Average shower duration: 1 minute 39 seconds
– Average number of shower events per day: 86
– Water used per shower event: 8.25 litres (previously 16.5 litres)
Savings and Results
The data collected demonstrated that Kelda’s Air-Powered™ showers achieved a 40% reduction in water consumption during the trial period. In a user survey conducted by GLL Ltd., 100% of respondents agreed that water-saving showers should be installed across the wider facility.
If rolled out across the full site (56 showers), Kelda’s Air-Powered™ showers could deliver the following annual benefits:
– Estimated cost savings: £86,000 per year
– Water savings: 28,900 m³ per year
– CO₂ savings: 239 tonnes per year
– Estimated return on investment: 19 months
All stakeholders agreed that the trial was successful. The results demonstrated significant water savings without compromising the shower experience and would support the London Legacy Development Corporation in achieving its water sustainability targets at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Conclusion
A wider rollout of Kelda’s Air-Powered™ showers would deliver a significant environmental and financial impact. Annual carbon savings of 239 tonnes are equivalent to removing approximately 161 cars from the road each year, supporting long-term sustainability objectives across the estate.
The trial installation focused solely on pre-cleanse showers within the Training Pool area. Showers located within changing areas are typically used for longer durations, such as full-body washing by gym members, and therefore present an even greater opportunity for water, energy and cost savings.
Based on an average shower duration of five minutes across the wider estate, annual savings are estimated at £73,400, equating to approximately £367,000 over five years. This level of saving would deliver an estimated return on investment of seven months, inclusive of product supply and installation costs.
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