Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 November 2013
280. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to change current building guidelines to encourage the use of rainwater harvesting in new developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48102/13]
View answerBuilding regulations, which are primarily concerned with the safety and wellbeing of persons in and around buildings, set down mandatory performance standards for buildings, and these performance standards are reviewed and upgraded over time. The statutory requirements are set out in twelve parts (classified as parts A to M) included under the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 1997-2013. Technical guidance documents (TGDs) are published to accompany each of the twelve parts in order to demonstrate how the statutory requirements may be achieved in practice.
Generally speaking, the performance standards set out under the building regulations can be met by a variety of traditional or innovative approaches. The building regulations and the accompanying TGDs leave it open to each individual designer to pick the optimum solution for the particular building concerned while ensuring that the mandatory performance requirements are met.
In relation to water sustainability, Part H – Drainage and Waste Water Disposal – of the Building Regulations was updated in 2010 and the accompanying TGD H 2010 already references water sustainability systems which are coming into increasing use (e.g. rain water recovery systems, grey water usage, etc.). At the time my Department was aware of research, undertaken over a 24 month period which commenced in 2006, by the Dublin Institute of Technology on behalf of the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee in regard to the feasibility of rainwater harvesting systems replacing treated main water for non-potable uses. This research concluded that there is no economic basis for the adoption of rain water harvesting by domestic consumers. Nevertheless, my Department was of the view that referencing rainwater harvesting systems in TGD H 2010, as has been done, was appropriate given the increasing level of interest in the use of such systems and that this would ensure that such systems, where used, can be designed and constructed in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with the best available national and international guidance.
Part G – Hygiene – of the Building Regulations was amended in 2008 and in the interests of water efficiency dual flush toilets are now standard when toilets are being installed or replaced.
My Department also publishes design guidance for local authorities - Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities – which emphasise environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. The influence of this guidance extends beyond social housing provision to provide an important reference point in promoting sustainability issues generally.
