Affinity Water is leading a partnership to deliver a sustainable, water-saving solution for new housing developments. Winning £2.9 million in Ofwat’s Breakthrough Challenge, the project will minimise water demand and offset water consumption with new technologies.

The aim is to deliver the same total water use in the community as before the new homes were built. The project will result in the publication of a Water Neutrality Blueprint. It will achieve water neutrality through several means:

Reducing demand:
· Installing water saving devices in residential properties – shower heads, tap inserts and larger infrastructure such as greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting units
· Running a best practise behaviour change campaign for residents, with the team from its award- winning SOS: Save Our Streams campaign.

Offsetting the rest:
· Installing larger technologies on commercial buildings like schools and leisure centres – for example greywater recycling and ultra-low flush toilets to offset remaining water use.