Ofwat has rewarded Essex and Suffolk Water for its innovative new ideas in improving household water efficiency.

Philip Fletcher, Director General of Water Services, presented the award to Essex and Suffolk Water at the 'Water UK & Environment Agency Water Efficiency Awards 2001' last night. It won a new category for 'Economic Research', which is supported by Ofwat.

Essex and Suffolk Water's entry, 'Sustainable New Homes' involved installing and monitoring water efficient appliances -such as low flow or dual flush WCs, reduced flow showers, taps and water butts - in homes on a housing development near Maldon in Essex.

Water savings were estimated to be around 23 litres for each household a day, which is equivalent to flushing a toilet three times. Essex and Suffolk Water used their findings to produce a list of recommended products for water efficient new homes, including reduced volume WCs, water efficient showerheads and spray taps on handwash basins.

Other shortlisted entrants in the Ofwat category were:

• Essex and Suffolk Water - Cost Effective Household Audits;
• Southern Water - Retrofit Dual Flush Study.

"The award was judged not only on the amount of water the project saved, but also on the quality of the research and analysis. I congratulate Essex and Suffolk Water on their sustainable new homes project."