Reformed Water Whitepaper
A New Vision for Water
A New Water Reality Is Here
The UK government’s new water reforms mark a major shift in how water use, efficiency, and infrastructure are regulated. With water scarcity, rising energy demand, and net zero commitments converging, water efficiency is no longer optional – it’s now a compliance and commercial necessity.
For housebuilders, developers, and commercial property owners, showers are one of the most overlooked yet impactful areas to drive efficiency.
“Clean water from our taps… A water system that supports the new homes, jobs and opportunities our country needs. That’s our goal, and that’s what this government is delivering.”
– The Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
The scale of Llandegfedd's dam wall and intake tower against a dramatically low water level with exposed gravel banks, usually submerged, starkly illustrate the UK's significant water supply challenge.
Water Waste Is No Longer Invisible
England faces a projected five billion litres a day water shortfall by 2055. The government is now prioritising demand reduction at source, rather than just building more infrastructure.
Key measures include:
– Minimum product standards for showers, taps, and toilets.
– Smarter metering and usage-based tariffs.
– Incentives and enforcement to reduce avoidable water waste.
Showers account for a significant portion of indoor water use, yet they are rarely challenged during the design stage.
UK Gov, Plan for Water: Our integrated plan for delivering clean and plentiful water
“Transforming management of the water system… will include improving water efficiency in homes by developing minimum product standards for showers, taps, and toilets.”
Showers: High Use, High Waste, High Carbon
Traditional showers consume large volumes of heated water, driving high energy use, carbon emissions, and stress on infrastructure. In high-density housing and commercial buildings like hotels, leisure facilities, and hospitals, this impact multiplies.
Reducing shower water use:
- – Cuts the energy needed to heat water.
- – Lowers operational carbon immediately.
- – Reduces pressure on water and wastewater systems.
As regulations tighten, inefficient showers are no longer acceptable – they are a design liability.
What This Means for Housebuilders and Developers
Developments that fail to meet water efficiency expectations risk:
- – Planning delays or objections.
- – Costly retrofitting later.
- – Higher operating costs for occupants.
Forward-thinking developers are expected to build efficiency from the outset, particularly in high-use fixtures like showers.
UK Gov, National Framework for Water Resources 2025
“Demand management … and helping customers in homes and businesses to be more efficient with their water use will all be important ways to reduce demand.”
The Clear Solution: Kelda Air-Powered Showers
Kelda’s air-powered showers cut water, energy, and carbon at source – without compromising performance. By using air to amplify water, Kelda reduces water, energy, and carbon by up to 55% per shower.
Unlike traditional aerated showers, Kelda’s Air-Powered Technology provides a more powerful experience: droplets 2.5× larger and a spray that is 15× more impactful, all while using less water.
Why Kelda leads the new water agenda:
- – Up to 55% savings on water, energy, and carbon.
- – Strong, consistent performance powered by air.
- – Immediate operational carbon and energy reductions.
- – The only shower recognised in SAP and RdSAP, verified by the Energy Saving Trust.
Water efficiency is now a design decision. The choices made at the specification stage determine long-term compliance, operating costs, and environmental impact. By rethinking showers, developers can reduce water and energy use, cut carbon, and deliver buildings fit for the future.
Kelda makes that simple.
In Summary
- Showers are a major source of water, energy, and carbon waste.
- New government regulations make efficient showers a compliance necessity.
- Kelda air-powered showers deliver high performance with up to 55% savings.
- Independent validation ensures confidence for developers and specifiers.
Start saving water, energy, and carbon today
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