Installers must commit to the tap water transition, too

The installation sector plays a crucial role in the energy transition. However, increasing droughts in the Netherlands will also necessitate a tap water transition in the coming years. The installation sector plays an important role in that transition, too. With innovative, technical measures, installers can help consumers reduce tap water consumption to 100 liters per person per day by 2035.

Households consume almost three-quarters of the tap water in the Netherlands. The government wants the Dutch to consume only 100 liters of drinking water per person per day by 2035; today it is 125 liters. According to chairman Doekle Terpstra of Techniek Nederland, technology companies can also play an important role in this tap water transition. ‘There is a lot of expertise in the engineering sector. With this, we can contribute to the National Water Saving Plan that Minister Harbers of Infrastructure and Water Management recently announced.’

Saving tap water is simple

In Dutch households, 41% of tap water disappears down the shower drain. For flushing the toilet we use 29% of our tap water and 12% is needed for the washing machine. Water technology expert Eric van der Blom of Techniek Nederland points out some simple measures to reduce water consumption, such as water-saving showerheads and faucets. ‘Combined with shorter showers, this can already halve water consumption. But there is also much to be gained from volume flow restrictors; these ensure that the amount of water flowing through the pipes remains constant.’

Recirculation showers

Van der Blom also expects technical innovations to play a role in reducing water consumption in the coming years. He is considering recirculating showers and self-cleaning recycling systems, which reuse grey water. ‘We will also more often encounter water-saving toilets and vacuum toilets (which do not consume water). These are all techniques that plumbing contractors can use to bring down their customers’ water use.’

Collection and (re)use

Installers can also play an important role in the collection and (re)use of rainwater and greywater. According to Van der Blom, that too provides significant tap water savings. ‘Think of infiltration crates in the garden or under a driveway and disconnecting rainwater drains and rain barrels. But green and blue roofs on homes, barns or garages, and rainwater basements also provide substantial water savings. If we start using rainwater or treated grey water for watering the garden, flushing the toilet, or using it in the washing machine, we don’t need tap water.

This article contains a literal translation of the original in Dutch, as published by EW Installatietechniek. The complete copyright lies with EW Installatietechniek.