Earlier this week, Aquality attended the online meeting of the Development Services Working Group (hosted by The Future Water Association), where industry experts gathered to discuss Drought, Housing and Reuse, with a focus on UK water stress and why reuse must scale now.
Here are the key insights from the speakers:
- Learning from Global Crises: Hugh Fisher (Aquacell) shared lessons from Australia’s Millennium Drought (1997–2010), highlighting how streamlined regulatory frameworks and establishing a legal right to supply non-potable water can accelerate UK progress.
- Industrial Water Reuse Drivers & Barriers: Keir Lewis (Veolia) outlined how upcoming legislation like the Clean Water Bill pushes industrial reuse forward, while financial costs and regulatory hurdles remain key challenges presented to the House of Lords.
- Transforming Spaces: Vibushan Thirukumar (Oru Space) showcased how dilapidated buildings are being given a second life by transforming them into community spaces. Projects like Oru Sutton integrate rainwater harvesting systems for WC flushing and irrigation.
- Unlocking Growth Through Regulation: Katie Smith (Defra) emphasised that water reuse isn’t just an environmental necessity, but an economic driver for new housing and business growth, touching on ongoing efforts to streamline non-household reuse and resolve developments like the Eddington controversy.
A big thank you to Fareita Pauli and the guest speakers for sharing their expertise on this vital topic!
