Portsmouth Water launches water-saving pilot with Ministry of Defence

Portsmouth Water has partnered with the Ministry of Defence and technology specialist Smarti on a new pilot project aimed at reducing water consumption across operational sites.

The trial began on 22 July with the installation of Smarti’s water-saving washroom technology at an MOD site.

The equipment has been provided free of charge, with Smarti also maintaining the system at no cost for six months while Portsmouth Water, the MOD and Smarti assess its impact on water use, maintenance requirements and costs.

The project forms part of Portsmouth Water’s wider efforts to help customers and partners identify practical ways to reduce demand and make better use of water resources.

Smarti says its system can significantly reduce water use compared with traditional flushing systems, while also lowering operating and maintenance costs.

If the pilot proves successful, the findings could support a wider rollout of the technology across the MOD estate.

Southwick House, which has been associated with the project, is the former home of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force during D-Day and is also the location of the historic D-Day Map.

Sam Dawson, Head of Demand Management at Portsmouth Water, said: “At Portsmouth Water, we're always looking for innovative ways to reduce water demand and encourage efficient water use. This pilot represents an exciting opportunity to assess how new technologies can deliver meaningful water savings while also reducing maintenance requirements.

“By testing the solution in a real-world environment, we can better understand the benefits it could offer organisations operating at scale.”

He added that the pilot is expected to provide useful information about how water-saving technology can support environmental targets and improve efficiency across large estates.

James Stokes, Sales Director at Smarti Environmental, said: “We're delighted to be supporting Portsmouth Water & the MOD on this project, particularly given the historical significance of Southwick House. Not only does our engagement positively impact the current water scarcity crisis, but also has the potential to save the public purse a significant sum & improve day-to-day operations for the MOD.”

Charlie, Area Utility & Sustainability Manager Portsmouth for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, said the Portsmouth area was designated by the Environment Agency as being in Serious Water Stress in 2021.

He said: “Since then, we have worked hard to better understand our water consumption and, more importantly, identify where unnecessary water losses occur across our local estate.

“Through this work, we found that the large number of washroom flushing systems across our sites represented one of the most significant sources of water wastage, even where automated controls had already been installed.”

Portsmouth Water is also encouraging customers to improve water efficiency at home by using free water-saving devices available through GetWaterFit.

Further water-saving advice is available through Portsmouth Water’s website; Water saving tips - in the home | Portsmouth Water

Get the latest ALERTS for BREAKING NEWS in the SOUTH on your phone by downloading the V2 RADIO APP today! 

V2VOUCHERS.CO.UK is offering half-price deals on a wide range of experiences across the South, from meals out at local restaurants to tickets for some of the region’s biggest events.