Improving water efficiency and unblocking homes

The UK government has launched a consultation proposing targeted updates to Building Regulations aimed at improving water efficiency in new homes and addressing supply constraints in areas of scarcity. The initiative forms part of efforts to deliver 1.5 million new homes by 2030 while reducing environmental impact and utility costs.

Under the proposed changes, new-build homes would be fitted with water-saving devices including aerated taps, showerheads, and dual flush toilets. Modelling indicates these measures could reduce household water consumption by 20 litres per person per day, translating into annual savings of approximately £111 on combined water and energy bills. The approach is designed to ease pressure on rivers, lakes, and sensitive chalk streams that currently supply public water.

The 12-week consultation seeks amendments to Part G2 of the Building Regulations 2010, which the government considers insufficient to balance housing delivery with water conservation goals. Analysts estimate that a reduction of 20 litres per person per day could unlock roughly 1,000 additional homes for every 5,250 constructed, particularly in constrained regions such as Cambridge and north Sussex where planning has previously stalled due to water limitations.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds emphasised that smarter water consumption will accelerate housing growth while lowering household bills. The consultation also invites input on future innovations, including the use of harvested rainwater for toilet flushing, alongside a broader call for evidence.

Industry stakeholders have broadly welcomed the proposals. Dr. Tom Dollard, Chair of the Good Homes Alliance, highlighted the challenges members face in delivering new homes where water capacity is limited and stressed the need for a refreshed Part G aligned with a water neutrality hierarchy and a fittings-based approach. Ed Lockhart, CEO of Future Homes Hub, noted that water shortages threaten sustained housing delivery and stressed the importance of combining efficiency measures with investment in water infrastructure and demand management.

The government is working closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure the regulatory changes support housebuilding objectives while promoting sustainable water use. The consultation represents an opportunity for suppliers, contractors, and developers to engage early, align with emerging standards, and position themselves for projects in regions where efficiency measures could unlock development.

With England experiencing consecutive months of below-average rainfall and multiple areas under drought conditions, water efficiency is increasingly central to planning approvals. The consultation offers the construction and supplier sector the chance to influence standards that will shape new housing development for decades and create a pipeline of opportunities across building, fittings, and infrastructure projects.

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