Water supply and drainiage for buildings, in Haarlem

During the second day of the symposium, it was presented how the new knowledge and tools are being be used to update guidelines. Several researchers have been working on improving the estimation of (peak) water demands developing methods, tools and calibrating them with measurements. Specifically in the case of U.S. and U.K. new frameworks/guidelines will be soon released to update the design of plumbing systems. The transition to revised design codes is ongoing!

A lot of interest is given to stochastic models and the focus of the research is mainly on residential demand, but it is expected that in the near future it will extend to other type of buildings. Dr. Lynne Jack (Heriot-Watt University) emphasized that comparing (benchmarking) and learning from each other’s practices can help improving current practices.

Studies related to alternative rainwater and grey water systems were also presented. Claudia Agudelo-Vera (KWR) presented how the design of these systems can be customized by using SIMDEUM. New ideas of how to implement such alternative systems in the built environment were focus on walls with vegetation. Although these systems are prototypes, it is expected that in the future they can be part of the building design.

It is not only about water…

In the afternoon the focus shifted to resource recovery and their relationship with the fixtures. Wei-Shan Chen (Wageningen University) presented a new paradigm for resource recovery on behalf of Jan Vreeburg (KWR) and Prof. Silva-Afonso (Portuguese Association for Quality in Building Installations) also highlighted that the design of the toilet can play a role to allow source separation. Building design can play a big role in the sustainability of the cities of the future.