Real-life water usage must play a key role, says Mira Showers
Mira Showers, the UK’s leading manufacturer of shower solutions, is urging the Government to reflect real life consumer behaviour when it comes to water usage to future-proof new regulations, in its official response to the Part G consultation on Building Regulations (2010).
The manufacturer is largely in support of the Government’s water efficiency objectives, but also called for better alignment between water efficiency through the mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling (MWEL) and water heating standards through Part L.
The proposed changes to Part G, coming into effect this year, mandate tighter regulations for water usage and introduce stricter water standards in areas facing serious water stress. The revised Building Regulations are set to have a significant impact on regulations for new homes and social housing.
A 2024 report from the University of Surrey, which Mira showers contributed to, describes the interrelation between flow, pressure and user experience in showering. It concluded that a number of factors, differing from person to person, would impact the volume of water used and went on to recommend that low flow equipment should not be used in isolation to tackle the issue of water usage.
Commenting on the consultation, Suzannah Adey, External Affairs and ESG Lead at Mira Showers, said:
“While we fully support the Government’s ambition to drive water efficiency in new homes and social housing, the current approach risks unintended consequences if it doesn’t account for how people actually use water in their homes. Overly restrictive flow rates can lead to longer showers or homeowners tampering with fittings, undermining the very savings these measures are designed to achieve.
“Mira has a long history of producing showers with water efficiency as a top priority. However, we urge policymakers to ensure that new standards are practical, transparent, and flexible enough to support ongoing innovation and growth in the sector.”
The company also highlighted the need for water efficiency and water heating to be better aligned to avoid unintended cost and carbon impacts Currently, these sit under separate Government frameworks.
“Carbon emissions from water heating and the environmental impact of water usage are often considered separately. Yet, there is an important link between the two. We believe that energy and water efficiency should be considered in tandem. An alignment will allow for streamlined standards and regulations, providing clarity for manufacturers and support innovation for technologies which promote waste water heat recovery.
“All these things combine to provide more sustainable and cost effective solutions for the consumer,” added Adey.
Mira Showers’ response highlights several key recommendations:
- Adopt a fittings-based approach with ringfenced volumes for showers, protecting user experience while encouraging innovation.
- Align water efficiency and water heating frameworks to ensure joined-up policy and maximise both water and energy savings for households.
- Future-proof standards to accommodate emerging technologies such as smart showers, water reuse systems, and integrated energy-water solutions.
- Prioritise evidence-led policy and robust compliance mechanisms, including tamper-proofing and smart metering.
Adey concludes, “The Government has set ambitious targets for housing delivery, and we are supporting developers to deliver homes which will be fit for the future, both in terms of sustainability and consumer experience.”
Mira Showers – already a leader in the design of water efficient showers – remains committed to working collaboratively with government and industry partners to deliver sustainable, future-ready solutions for UK homes. Mira’s React shower range has integrated 6LPM (litre per minute) flow regulation, which supports Part L and Part G compliance and rebate eligibility, while the patented Mira SprayBoost™ technology delivers a full-flow experience while regulating water use.
For more information, visit www.mirashowers.co.uk .
