09/03/2006 - The Environment
Agency today welcomed the Government’s announcement
to strengthen the Code for Sustainable Homes,
which will promote higher standards of water
efficiency in new homes. Chief Executive
Barbara Young said with water shortages
in the south east of England and increasing
evidence of global climate change, it was
essential that new homes were built with
a higher standard of water and energy efficiency.
"To reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and save our valuable water resources, high
standards of efficiency should become the
norm in all new homes.
"As all these homes will also have
water meters, their running costs will be
lower. We’ve found that a house designed
to be 25% less wasteful in water, energy
and waste delivers annual savings of £138
on bills.
"With mandatory assessment for the
Code, anyone buying a new home will know
the environmental performance of the house
and the impact on utility bills.
"Having set out its intentions, the
Government can now act swiftly to implement
these changes, and to ensure there is also
a minimum regulatory standard for water
efficiency for homes, in the same way there
is for energy," Barbara Young said.
