Attn: Environment/News Correspondent
Date: Embargo to 22 April 2004
Contact: Ilana Cravitz, CIWEM Press Officer, 020 7269 5820 or ilana@ciwem.com

The urban garden of the future?
City rooftop water recycling system wins new national green award

A new rooftop water recycling system designed for blocks of flats will save water and reduce bills. To be installed at student accommodation at Cranfield University on 27th April in its first full-scale trial, GROW (the Green Roof Water Recycling System) proved irresistible to the judges of CIWEM’s first World of Difference Award,¹ supported by Black & Veatch.

GROW processes ‘grey’ water (collected wash water), filtering it through a bed of aquatic plants containing bacteria which cleanse the water. The installed cost is estimated at about £60 per person, and it has been developed by Water Works UK Ltd² specifically for low rise, multi-storey, multi-occupancy urban dwellings. It is easy to maintain – occasional attendance by a caretaker will keep it up and running. GROW is an ecosystem in itself and a roof where it is installed can act as a wildlife sanctuary (although tigers might be hard to come by!). It can also function as a dust trap, a heat regulator and a way of reducing ambient noise.

Nick Reeves, Executive Director of CIWEM,³ said:

“With water prices set to rise by up to 30% and water wastage in the UK running millions of litres down the drain every day, GROW is cheap, sustainable and timely. As an international body concerned with the ethics of water use, we are also pleased to support a system ideally suited for export to water-poor countries.”

Bill Thomson, Business Development Director at environmental consultancy Black & Veatch,⁴ which supported the Award, commented:

“Water Works UK Ltd have come up with an incredibly novel, yet practical, way to replace the 40% of expensively-produced drinking water that households currently waste in domestic toilet flushing, irrigation and public area cleansing.”

Two other entries were highly commended by the judges:

• Knottingley Flood Alleviation Scheme & Wetland Creation Project, whose objective is sustainable flood risk management for the Yorkshire town, integrating economic, technical and environmental issues. The project involves setting back the flood defences and takes the opportunity to create a new six-hectare wetland adjacent to the town.
• AFM (Active Filtration Media) Water Filtration – a substitute for sand, used in sewage and other wastewater treatment, made from reprocessed glass bottles.

For more information and photos/diagrams of the GROW system, contact Ilana Cravitz on 020 7269 5820; ilana@ciwem.com.

Notes

1. The CIWEM World of Difference Award, supported by Black and Veatch, was established in January 2004 as a means of rewarding the practical application of science and engineering for environmental improvement. The Award focuses on innovative design in water and wastewater projects. The first Award will be presented by Tim Smit, Executive Director of the Eden Project, at CIWEM’s Annual Dinner at the Draper's Hall, London on Thursday 22 April 2004. The winner of the World of Difference Award will receive a trophy, a framed certificate and a cheque for £1000. For details of how to enter for next year’s award, contact Alastair Chisholm: alastair@ciwem.com.
2. Water Works UK Ltd was established in 2003 to continue the initiatives of the former Metropolitan Water Company in the use of groundwater, and recycled water to relieve the growing demand on high quality potable water, especially in the South East of England. The GROW system has been supported by the Centre for Urban Pollution at Middlesex University, Cranfield University School of Water Sciences, Geberit UK, the House Builders Federation and the Department of Trade & Industry Partners in Innovation Scheme. See www.wwuk.co.uk.
3. CIWEM is the leading professional body for the people who plan, protect and care for the environment and its resources. CIWEM provides educational opportunities and continuing professional development, independent information to the public and advice to government. CIWEM’s members in 96 countries include scientists, engineers and students. www.ciwem.com. Tel. 020 7269 5820. Press: ilana@ciwem.com.
4. Black & Veatch is a leading global engineering, construction and consulting company specializing in infrastructure development in the fields of energy, water and information. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch serves its clients with conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, information technology, environmental, security design and consulting, and management consulting services. Contact wearnd@bv.com for more information or see www.bv.com.