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Building Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
News Release from: BRE | Subject: Water Centre one-day conference
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 26 October 2006
BRE talking water
BRE's Water Centre one-day conference to examine how consumers can be persuaded to be more efficient in their use of water.
BRE's Water Centre has organised a one-day conference to examine how consumers can be persuaded to be more efficient in their use of water There are growing pressures on water resources in the UK as increasing numbers of small households and the government's plans for more housing in the South East, add to the burden on the water supply
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 2 Oct 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Report on Water Management, published in June 2006, questioned the government's plans for new homes in the South East stating that: "It is regrettable that the ODPM failed sufficiently to consult the water industry directly - or to give due consideration to the water management implications - when formulating the Sustainable Communities Plan and selecting growth areas." Clearly, government, water companies and consumers have to work together to ensure that there is enough water for everyone in the years to come.
The same report highlighted the importance of good communication: "It is vital that the growing emphasis on water efficiency amongst the key stakeholders is communicated effectively to the public at large as rapidly as possible".
A long term educational programme was recommended to 'ingrain' water efficient behaviour patterns from an early age.
The report cited the example of the Government of Victoria's highly successful communication campaign, Our Water, Our Future.
But persuading consumers to change the habits of a lifetime isn't easy.
That is why the BRE Reflections on Water: Water Efficiency and Human Consumption conference will include experts on human behaviour and water efficiency from universities, research bodies, water companies and trade bodies.
Experts will talk about how they are working to influence more careful use of water.
Speakers include:.
Joanne Turner, DEFRA.
Dame Yve Buckland, Consumer Council for Water.
Mike Pocock, Three Valleys Water.
Will Medd, Lancaster University Centre for Sustainable Water Management.
Dr Katherine Hyde, BRE Water Centre.
Talking Water will be held at BRE, Watford on November 16th.
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