Flying the Flag for Manufacturers at Waterwise Conference
The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) was one of the sponsors at this year’s Waterwise Water Efficiency Conference – The Economics of Water Efficiency in the Natural and Built Environment – which took place as part of World Water Day between 21 and 22 March 2007.
Held in Oxford, the event attracted leading policy makers, doers and thinkers on water efficiency, both as speakers and participants including Barbara Young, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency; Pamela Taylor, Chief Executive of Water UK; and, Bengt Pihl, Chief Executive of Sanitec.
Flying the flag for bathroom manufacturers, Pihl told delegates that although the message from Government to manufacturers had been to save water efficiently without causing problems, the task was not so simple.
Manufacturers, explained Pihl, have to consider product availability; design for the mass market; and, water efficient systems that can cope with the UK’s current drainage systems, which often rely on larger amounts of water to remove waste effectively.
In addition, he said, manufacturers must ensure their water efficient products comply with all standards and that they are competitively priced.
Pihl assured delegates that manufacturers are working hard to help Government meet its water saving targets in reducing consumption from the current 150 litres per person, per day to approximately 125 litres per person, per day.
Since the Waterwise Conference, the BMA has announced its Labelling Scheme for water efficient bathroom products, which has been well received by Government, demonstrating to all stakeholders that manufacturers are taking the issue of water efficiency seriously and doing something about it.
Commenting on the BMA’s involvement in the Waterwise conference, BMA Chief Executive Yvonne Orgill says: “All delegates at the Waterwise Conference agreed that only collectively we can make a real difference and we must educate.
“The BMA believes Government, water utilities and other related trade and consumer bodies must work together to implement greater awareness campaigns via educational and media routes, as we will not make significant water savings unless the consumer is properly educated.
“The BMA is playing its part in this with the announcement of the Labelling Scheme and other ongoing water efficiency initiatives. It will be interesting to see what action other stakeholders take.”
