What is this standard about?
BS 8595 gives recommendations on how to select water reuse systems. It covers systems for rainwater harvesting, storm-water harvesting and greywater reuse. This water is used for a variety of non-potable water uses like watering gardens, laundry and flushing toilets.
It does not cover systems supplying potable water for drinking, food preparation and cooking, dishwashing and personal hygiene. Nor does it cover other sources of non-potable water, such as treated effluent, reclaimed industrial process water and water abstracted from wells and boreholes.
Who is this standard for?
- Specialist water-reuse system practitioners
- Architects
- Consultants
- Water PLCs
- Local authorities
- Contractors
- House builders
- Consulting engineers
- Drainage authorities
Why should you use this standard?
- It offers a transparent methodology for building policy and decisions about water reuse options in the UK
- It helps developers, designers and specifiers take into account local needs and constraints when evaluating the suitability of specific water reuse systems
- It helps in the development of evidence-based policies on water reuse by water and wastewater service suppliers, lead local flood authorities, local planning authorities, internal drainage boards and the Environment Agency
- It complements BS 8515, BS 8525-1 and BS 8525-2, which deal in detail with design and installation requirements associated with rainwater harvesting systems and greywater systems
This standard also fits in with the government’s “Future Water” policy to encourage the reuse of water and the utilization of alternative supplies. It will help the UK maintain a world leading position in environmental sustainability.
It also contributes towards the sensible use of water in low carbon and low impact buildings. This matters because some early water reuse systems turned out to be high energy consumers while others have shown that inappropriate technology and management can lead to potential health risks e.g. when WC flushing systems have failed.