The North West Cambridge development team. (Image credit to Dave Webb)
Cambridge Water has agreed with the University of Cambridge to support the UK’s largest water recycling system at its North West Cambridge Development.
The agreement will see two water supplies installed on the 150-hectare site – one which recycles rainwater to use for flushing toilets, clothes washing and gardening and one supplying high-quality treated water for drinking and cooking.
Both are designed to minimise potable water consumption on the development site, which will include 3,000 homes, 2,000 post-graduate student rooms, a supermarket, hotel and primary school. With these measures in place the development should reduce average potable water consumption to 80l per person per day – almost half of the UK average.
Phil Newland, managing director for Cambridge Water, says: “We are delighted to support the university in this innovative and highly sustainable development.
“The commitment to provide the UK’s largest water-recycling system will help raise awareness, and encourage other developers to consider water efficiency.”
Brian Nearney, commercial director of the North West Cambridge Development, adds: “The agreement between Cambridge Water and the university is an innovative collaboration that meets the development’s high-sustainability targets. The pioneering method of recycling rainwater in this region is something to be proud of, given the area’s relative water scarcity.”
The first phase of North West Cambridge is due for completion by Spring 2017.
