HC Deb 30 January 1979 vol 961 cc406-7W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many water authorities have introduced byelaws requiring the use of dual flush cisterns in all replacement of new property installation; and what other steps water authorities are taking to reduce water consumption and costs.

Mr. Denis Howell

Six water authorities have made byelaws requiring dual flush cisterns to be installed with WCs of the washdown type in dwellings. The remaining authorities are preparing new byelaws which will include this requirement. The new byelaws also require urinal cisterns to refill less frequently than every 20 minutes and to be fitted with devices to control operating hours.

Water authorities are co-operating in field research to identify where further water economies in the home might be made. These include water use in washing machines, low volume and variable flush types of WCs and new designs of showers.

Wherever practicable, water authorities are bringing mains pressures to the best practicable level in order to minimise waste of water from consumers' fittings and appliances.