Water Efficient Buildings Wong Wai Cheng Manager (Water Demand Management)

Water Consumption in Spore

Total water consumption 58 % for domestic consumption 42 % for non domestic consumption

Why Conserve Water

Reduce Operation Cost Contribute to National effort to Conserve Water

Pricing
Reflect the strategic importance and scarcity value of water

Water Conservation Strategy

Voluntary
3P approach Promote ownership of water conservation

Mandatory
Cut down on excessive flow and wastage of water

Pricing
Water Tariff Structure
W.e.f. 1 July 2000
Consumption block (m3 per mth) Tariff category

Tariff (/m3)

WCT (%)

Domestic

1 to 40 Above 40

117 140 117

30 45 30

Non-domestic

All units

WCT :

Water Conservation Tax - Broad-based Tax levied by the Government

Mandatory
Installation of Water Saving Devices
Since 1983 Self-Closing Delayed-Action Taps
(non domestic premises including common amenities of condominiums)

Constant Flow Regulators

(all premises)

Since 1997 Low Capacity Flushing Cistern

9 litre flushing cistern

4.5 litre flushing cistern

6

Reduction of Max Allowable Flow-rates

Area of Usage Maximum Allowable Flowrate (litres/min) New Basin Tap & Self Closing Delayed Action Basin Tap For self closing delayed action basin taps, timing shall remain at between 2 and 3 sec

Mandatory

Water Efficient Flow Rate (litres/min)

Remarks

2 (toilets) 4 (others)

Sink / Kitchen Tap and Wash Area

6
For self closing delayed action shower tap, timing shall remain at between 13 and 15 sec

Shower Tap & SelfClosing Delayed Action Shower Tap

9* 12 (hotels)

Other Areas

6
7

Voluntary Water Efficient Buildings (WEB)

Encourage building owner / management agent to take ownership Review water usage pattern/habits Reduce water usage, keep to efficient flow rates/flush volume. Recycle/reuse where possible Repair leaking fittings promptly to avoid water wastage

More than 900 buildings/premises certified as WEB

8

Water Volunteer Groups (WVGs) Mandatory Installation of Dual Flush LCFCs

Website Portal

Water Efficiency Labeling Scheme

Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS)

10

WATER EFFICIENCY LABELLING SCHEME (WELS)

A voluntary labelling scheme dedicated to promoting Water Efficient Products Launched on 31st Oct 2006 Jointly administered by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) & PUB

11

WATER EFFICIENCY LABELLING SCHEME (WELS)

Objectives Facilitate consumer to make informed choice when purchasing products Increase public awareness on water conservation Encourage manufacturers/importers to bring in more water efficient products Promote water efficient building design

12

WATER EFFICIENCY LABELLING SCHEME (WELS)

The Water Efficiency Label comprises:
the title Water Efficiency ticks that indicate water efficiency of the labelled products (the more ticks, the more water efficient is the product) the water efficiency rating in words: Good (for products with 1 tick) Very Good (for products with 2 ticks) Excellent (for products with 3 ticks) Water Consumption Type of Product Brand Model Serial No.
13

Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme

3-tier Rating System Products

Excellent
Very Good Good
Washing Machine Basin/ Sink Tap
Shower Head Dual Flush Cistern

14

Criteria For Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS)

FITTINGS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE

GOOD RATING

VERY GOOD RATING >5 to 7

EXCELLENT RATING 5 or less

Shower Taps, Mixers & Showerheads (L/min) Basin Taps & Mixers (L/min) Sink/Bib Taps (L/min)

>7 to 9

6 8

>4 to 6 >6 to 8 >4.0 - 4.5 (full flush) > 2.5 -3.0 (low flush) > 1.0 to 1.5

>2 to 4 >4 to 6 >3.5 to 4.0 (full flush) > 2.5 3.0 (low flush) > 0.5 to 1.0

2 or less 4 or less 3.5 or less (1) (full flush) 2.5 or less (low flush) 0.5 or less (2) Or waterless urinals 9 or less

Flushing Cisterns Dual Flush Type (L/flush) Urinals & Urinal Flush Valve (L/flush) Washing Machine (L/Kg)

4.5 (full flush) 3.0 (low flush)

1.5

15

> 12 -15

> 9 -12

(1) (2)

To pass laboratory simulation test on waste transportation efficiency in pipe. To pass dilution test 15

WELS WEBSITE

www.sec.org.sg/wels.

16

INCORPORATE WATER EFFICIENT LABELLED PRODUCTS IN BUILDINGS

WELS is incorporated under BCAs Green Mark criteria for new buildings air con and residential buildings. BCAs Green Mark for Schools will be announced soon Encourage developers, govt agencies as well as professionals to incorporate this scheme in their developments/buildings design specification

17

Green Mark for Air Con Buildings - Water Efficiency Criteria

18

19

Green Mark for Residential Buildings - Water Efficiency Criteria

20

21

Water Efficient Building Design

(1) Submetering (2) Installation of Pressure Reducing Valves (3) Install Water Saving Devices/ use of Water Efficient Labelled Products (4) Water Substitution / Recycling of used water (5) Water Efficient Landscaping

22

(1) Submetering
Monitor water usage - Key element Sub-meters should be installed Installation of submeters/private meters on all major water systems, such as cooling tower, irrigation, hot water devices, etc.\ Know how water is used Identification of leak areas quickly Shall be accessible for meter readings and maintenance

23

Water Tank

Residential Units

m m

Sub meters

Irrigation Swimming Pool

m
m

Water Tank Bulk Meter

Public Toilets
m

24

Maintenance officers are encouraged to take water meter readings regularly (daily/weekly/fortnightly) Monitor the water consumption on a plotted graph Any sudden increase may indicate a leak in the system Investigate immediately Take prompt action to repair leaks, if any

25

 main and sub-meters should be linked to a building management system (BMS) water usage trends can be recorded Alarm activated if there is a sudden increase in water consumption or a new trend in water consumption as this will indicate the possibility of a water leakage

26

(2) Pressure Reducing Valves

Install Pressure reducing valves at every floor to maintain the water pressure of the water supply to every dwelling unit at 1.5 bar

27

Water Tank

Pressure Reducing Valve

Bulk Meter m

28

(3) Water Saving Devices/ Use of Water Efficient Labelled products

Use Water Efficient Labelled products with Excellent rating Install water saving devices Basin Taps : thimbles or CFRs Flushing cistern : use dual flush low capacity flushing cistern : cistern water saving bags for 9 litre flushing cistern Urinals : reduce flush volumes or use waterless urinals Low Flow Showerheads
29

(4) Water Substitution/Recycling

Encourage substitution with NEWater for non potable use eg. Air con cooling towers, process use, etc. Encourage recycling of process water or used water Cheaper

30

Water Substitution (NEWater)

Seletar 5 mgd 2004 Kranji 9 mgd Jan 2003

Ulu Pandan 25 mgd Early 2007 Bedok 6 mgd Jan 2003

Legend

NEWater pipeline NEWater Plant Service Reservoir

31

(5)Water Efficient Landscaping

Water Efficient Plants - Use drought resistant plants or plants that fit naturally into the existing climatic conditions - Limit amount of turf area , turf grasses need a lot of water and require continual upkeep - Group plants by their water needs such as plants that need high, moderate or little to no irrigation.

Draught resistant plants

Limit turf Area

32

 Water Efficient Irrigation Systems -Drip irrigation uses 30% to 50% less water than sprinkler irrigation - Drip irrigation applies water slowly and directly to the roots of plants. Hence, evaporation and runoff is minimized - Adopt flexible irrigation schedule to save water by adjusting to changing weather conditions - Recycled water should be used - Potable water is only permitted for system to be turned on manually and turned off automatically

33

Rainwater Collection
non-potable usage (irrigation, washing, toilet flushing, etc)

16 Mar 2004
34

Thank You

35

Urinals
recommended flush volume for standard size urinal (300mm width) is 0.5 litres per flush Waterless Urinals : Eliminate the use of water in flushing - save water Low installation cost as water connection and flush valve are not needed Proper maintenance is crucial to ensure the waterless urinal do not cause unpleasant smells.

36

Shower Taps & Low Flow Showerheads The flow rate should not exceed 7 litre/min Install Low Flow Showerheads with less than 5 litre/min

< 5 L/min
37

Washbasin Taps
Before insallation of thimble or CFR After insallation of thimble (3.8 L/min)

6 l/min (Turbulence)

2 l/min (Laminar)

2 l/min with Thimble (Spray) Or 2 l/min CFR

For

sensor taps with 2 litre/min flow rate, cut off supply when hand is removed from basin or preset timing of not more than 60 secs is reached,whichever is earlier.
38

Dual Flush Low Capacity Flushing Cistern

Cistern Water Saving Bag for 9 litre Flushing cistern

39

Take Water Meter Readings Regularly

40

2005 Monthly Water Consumption

1200 1100

Consumption (m3)

1000 900 800 700 600 500

JA N FEB M AR APR M AY JUN JUL A UG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Months (2005)

41