Shower manufacturer Methven and the Bathroom Manufacturers Association have urged that ‘now is the time’ for water saving efforts to be placed ‘front and centre’ in the minds of housing developers, across the UK.
This year’s Water Saving Week campaign focuses on setting daily challenges aimed at reducing water usage for consumers across the UK, but the more global agenda on water efficiency is conflicted.
While water scarcity is becoming a major constraint on development, with UK and EU policymakers push for stricter efficiency and smarter design, the US is rolling back water flow rules—highlighting a growing global divergence in water policy.
Despite this, Methven and the BMA urge developers to make water efficient products a major focus for upcoming projects.
Image: Emma Foster, Head of Marketing and Product at Methven
"We are at a critical juncture," said Tom Reynolds, Chief Executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association.
"Water efficiency must become a fundamental part of every new development strategy—not just for compliance, but for long-term viability.
“Developers who embed sustainability into their projects today will be the ones best positioned to meet both regulatory expectations and market demand tomorrow."
Methven, a leader in high-performance water-saving shower technology, reinforced its commitment to supporting the building industry with products that deliver measurable reductions in water usage without compromising user satisfaction.
The company is calling on developers to lead the shift, particularly as pressure mounts to align with the UK’s 2050 net-zero targets and looming water supply deficits.
"The technology is already here," said Emma Foster, Head of Marketing and Product at Methven. "From patented showering technologies to precision-engineered flow regulators, there are proven solutions ready to be specified now. What we need is a shift in mindset—from compliance to proactive leadership and trust."
This call-to-action lands at a time when UK regulators are pushing for tighter building standards, yet global policy trends diverge.
In contrast to the EU and UK’s forward-leaning positions, the US has begun to roll back federal flow rate rules—an inconsistency that underlines the urgency for the UK sector to maintain momentum and leadership.
Methven and the BMA are urging housebuilders, architects, and specifiers to participate in Water Saving Week not only through daily challenges but by revisiting their procurement and design frameworks.
Incorporating water-efficient solutions at the planning stage is increasingly seen as essential for risk mitigation, ESG compliance, and long-term asset value.
"Water stress is already constraining development in parts of the UK," Reynolds added. "If we want to avoid future disruption—and retain public trust—we must treat water efficiency with the same strategic importance as energy performance and carbon reduction."
