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• Carbon
• Energy
• Renewables
• Water
• Waste
• Travel
• Exhibition
• Biodiversity
• Data

Our Water Management Programme encourages our property management teams and project development teams to use responsible water management practices. In 2007/08 368,337m³ of water was used in the areas of our properties we have management control over, 26% less than in 2004/05. However, it was also a 5% increase on the previous year. We will be working to improve this in 2008/09.

In 2007 the team at Eastgate Shopping Centre installed a 20,000 litre tank to store rainwater collected from over 1,500m² of roof space. This water, which would otherwise have gone down the drains, is then used to flush toilets and urinals. It is estimated that this will provide nearly 1,000m³ (1 million litres) of water each year, reducing the mains water required by over 25%. During a recent refurbishment the team also installed a number of water saving devices, including automatic urinal flushing sensors and tap sensors, offering up to 70% savings in water usage.

Meadowhall Shopping Centre has reduced mains water use by 20% following the installation of three rainwater harvesting tanks in 2006. The team is now awaiting approval from the Environment Agency for a borehole that would enable them to achieve an estimated 97% water self-sufficiency. As well as minimising the Centre’s demand on an increasingly scarce natural resource this minimises its impact on drainage systems, by reducing rainwater run-off from roofs, and saves the Centre money. It may also provide opportunities to generate income in the future by providing retailers with harvested water. The initiative has generated positive publicity and interest nationally and locally, with Yorkshire Water using aspects of the scheme to assist with a pilot in its Buttershaw offices. In 2007 the team has also managed to involve the local community with 155 local school children participating in a competition to design graphics to decorate one of the tanks.

In April 2007 the team at Broadgate installed a 2,000 litre tank to collect rainwater so that it can be re-used for watering plants and cleaning. In 2007 34,500 litres were collected and recycled. In 2008 the tank capacity will be trebled to 6,000 litres. Schemes to re-use water to flush toilets and water plants are also under review. The Broadgate Sustainable Procurement Policy includes guidance on rainwater harvesting and boreholes, as well as reducing water use in cleaning, landscaping and toilet facilities. For instance, water consumption during cleaning can be reduced by switching to cleaning equipment that recycles water. In addition, cleaning during the early morning or late evening takes advantage of reduced water evaporation.

… with a rainwater harvesting project already proving extremely successful, the water which runs off the Meadowhall roofs is being collected in huge butts and then being used in areas such as toilet flushing and plant watering.

The Sheffield Star, ‘Making Meadowhall a Greener Environment’

The sustainability objectives for all our new developments include water management measures. The design of our mixed use development at Osnaburgh Street in Regent’s Place incorporates a rainwater collection system to re-use water from the roofs for irrigation and toilet flushing, as well as sanitary ware with low water use fittings. Plans for the North East Quarter in Regent’s Place also include installing a rainwater harvesting tank. At Ropemaker water meters will be linked to the Building Management System to monitor mains water use, there will be a green roof which provides temporary storage of storm water, and rainwater will be collected and re-used. It is estimated that this will save 1,800m³ each year, enough water to fill 10,000 domestic baths.