Sustainability Stories - Winchmore Hill Quaker Meeting
Water Conservation project - Winchmore Hill Quaker Meeting
Recipient of QPSW Sustainability Grant 2011
Our project aims to conserve resources by reducing water consumption which will also reduce our carbon footprint: locally by using less heated water, and regionally, by using less water as that water goes through a manufacturing process requiring energy inputs for pumping and other steps.
It does this by installing water efficient fittings:
- Replace 3 large wash hand basins with small wash hand basins
- Fit 3 cistern dams in existing wc cisterns
- Install 8 in line flow regulators on hot and cold water supplies to basins and sinks
- Replace urinal cistern with PIR sensor controlled water supply
- Replace individual wash basins faucets with 3 monoblock spray faucets
Operationally there will be a locally measurable reduction in the quantity of water used and electrical energy used: the metered new (reduced) consumption levels will be compared with the record of consumption prior to the water conservation project being implemented.
The proposed water conservation measures will take 4 months to procure, install and make operational including training to assure that the benefits are realised. QPSW were unable to grant the full amount requested so the meeting will consider how to provide additional funds if we are to achieve the full scope of the project.
It furthers Quaker witness by learning about and addressing sustainability issues of reducing consumption, through practical action as a community, i.e. taking measures to reduce water consumption (and associated energy use) in our Meeting House. These actions are being supported by our broader workshops on sustainability and "Sustaining Our Local Society" and are part of the overall Winchmore Hill Meeting House Refurbishment Project which includes a number of initiatives for 'greening' the Meeting House and Cottage.
By Neil Macindoe
