Intelligent water management is the way forward

Water-saving technology and use of rainwater/grey water can conserve an increasingly scarce resource

Modern buildings feature combined heating strategies backed by regenerative energy and controlled by a custom energy management system. These innovative developments in the thermal energy sector highlight what is needed in the field of water technology – an intelligent water management system that provides tailored solutions for individual properties by customising the mix between mains water supply and the use of rainwater and grey water.

Current forecasts indicate that by 2025 around two thirds of the world’s population will be living in countries that regularly experience water problems. Even in Germany, responsible use is becoming more and more important as climate change adds to the pressure on this key resource. Some major German cities already need to pipe water from hundreds of kilometres away because local capacity has long been fully utilised.

By installing water-saving fixtures and using recyclable resources, water consumption in buildings can be reduced by well over 50%. Measures of choice which have already been introduced in many commercial buildings include water-saving sanitary fittings and reusing rain and grey water.