皇家华人

UCL is reducing the amount of water consumed during the construction and operation of its buildings.

Between 250 and 300 buildings听are operated by UCL听across its campuses,听and听the university听is undertaking an ongoing听programme of construction and refurbishment to improve its estate.听

鈥淭his provides the opportunity to consider how we can reduce water consumption, both during the building work and in their future operation,鈥� says Ben Stubbs (Sustainable UCL).听听听

All听building projects听that have an impact on water use听implement measures听to听monitor and reduce听potable water consumption during both construction and operational phases.听

UCL鈥檚 standard target for new buildings is a 40% reduction in water consumption compared听to the standard industry baseline, as听defined by听BREEAM,听the听environmental听assessment听method for buildings.听

To听achieve this,听the university听identifies听the potential for water efficiency improvements听in all听projects听that听involve听the provision, upgrade or replacement of听facilities or fittings using听the mains听water听supply.听听

New developments听typically achieve听this听through specifying听efficient sanitary听fittings, as well as monitoring听ongoing water usage.听For example,听the UCL Student Centre uses听low-flush听toilets听and water-efficient shower facilities,听contributing听to a projected听55% reduction in water consumption.听听

Where practical,听UCL鈥檚听buildings also听reduce the听potable water听supply with听rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling.听

Contractors are听also听expected to set water consumption targets during听construction听or听refurbishment projects听and then听to听monitor听and听report听on听the results.听

鈥淲e also require all听building听projects to听demonstrate how they have minimised听any potential water pollution听or flooding听through the use of sustainable drainage measures,鈥� explains Ben.听听

鈥淭he new Student Centre is among UCL buildings with a green roof and the new Astor College student听residence has a听blue roof. These both regulate rainwater听runoff from the site, reducing the impact on local drainage systems.鈥澨�听