Water & Wastewater Treatment Magazine
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1062770
www.wwtonline.co.uk | WWT | JANUARY 2019 | 21 GOAL 6 WATER CONSUMPTION Waterblade Easy Chrome (Bamford) The Waterblade can replace the nozzle on mixer taps that have an isolating valve, changing the fl ow to a paper- thin blade shape that drives signifi cant reductions on consumption. While a standard tap might use up to 20 litres per minute and those with an aerating nozzle fitted tend to use in excess of 5 litres, taps with the Waterblade nozzle use around 2.5 litres. The idea emerged when Nigel Bamford was exploring ways to improve energy use within buildings as part of his MSc, and the concept was then developed at the University of Brighton using a grant from Innovate UK. The original product won a Water Industry Award in 2016 for Most Innovative New Technology of the Year and it has since improved, evolving into the Waterblade Easy Chrome. Introduced after two years of product development, it was created to improve performance, functionality and appearance and comes with a flow controller that sets the maximum flow at 2.7 litres per minute. The flow controller means it is no longer necessary to set the maximum flow remotely, which had posed a small but increased risk at the point of installation. Costing £10 for a single nozzle and designed to be easy to install, the product can be used in domestic properties, where the company predicts savings between £25 and £75 a year, as well as commercial premises – one office trial cited by the company saw a total reduction in water consumption across the building of 15 per cent. "We now believe that the product has the necessary functionality to be very widely adopted," Bamford told WWT. "Early interest supports this belief." Propelair (Propelair Ltd) Propelair is an attempt to reinvent the toilet, making use of a new type of technology that relies on displaced air and water for fl ushing. The result is a fl ush that uses just 1.5 litres, as opposed to the UK average of 9 litres. The cistern contains two sections – one for air and one for water – while the toilet lid is used to create an airtight seal. When the toilet is fl ushed, water enters the pan to wash it, followed by air from a specially designed pump, which pushes out the contents of the pan. The toilet is then ready to be re-fl ushed in around 20 seconds. Designed to be maintenance-free over a lifespan over around 20 years' normal use, Propelair – which is suitable for new developments or refurbishments but can also be retrofi tted to existing drainage systems – requires a small electrical supply, which can be mains or battery. Essex-based Propelair Ltd was founded in 2001, achieved full production status and WRAS certifi cation in 2013 and is currently seeking UK distribution partners as it seeks to continue its expansion. www.wwtonline.co.uk | WWT | JANUARY 2019 | www.wwtonline.co.uk | WWT | JANUARY 2019 | www.wwtonline.co.uk 21 told WWT. "Early interest supports this belief." lifespan over around 20 years' normal use, Propelair – which is suitable for new developments refurbishments be retrofi tted drainage systems – requires a small electrical supply, which can be mains or Essex-based Propelair Ltd was founded in 2001, achieved full production status and WRAS certifi cation in 2013 and is currently seeking UK distribution partners as it seeks to continue its Innovation Zone Water effi ciency