CHALLENGE
Savills Sustainability team was instructed to conduct a water strategy for The Leadenhall Building, to establish the consumption landscape of the building and provide recommendations for efficiency measures to implement. Compliance of the strategy with BREEAM In-Use requirements (WAT 14 Water Strategy credit) was also required, as the building was in the process of pursuing BREEAM In-Use certification.
SOLUTION
- Savills Sustainability reviewed all water-related building information, including the water fixture inventory, emergency procedures and maintenance plans.
- The building’s consumption trends over the last few years were analysed and compared to a widely used industry benchmark, indicating the building’s performance compared to other offices and demonstrating change over time.
- Flow rates for the building’s fixtures were established and compared to best practices. Where the building’s fixtures did not meet the current best practice low-flow alternatives were identified and recommended as replacement options.
- Finally, a bespoke action plan was generated, which included a mixture of behaviour change actions and water fixture upgrades, informed by industry best practice. Recommendations included installing waterblades across all handwash taps in the building, replacing showerheads with low-flow equivalents and engaging site users with water efficiency information and tips.
All findings were summarised into a water strategy document, outlining the above findings and recommendations.
RESULTS
- The site team now has a comprehensive plan of action to implement efficiency measures and reduce water consumption over time. They are now in the process of finding a supplier to install sub-meters across the building, in line with the strategy’s recommendations. They are also considering the site-wide installation of waterblades in handwash taps, as well as reviewing all other recommendations.
- Six BREEAM In-Use credits were awarded for the production of the water strategy, boosting the site’s overall certification score by 3.4%.