Rainwater and grey water re-use

The RSC agrees with the main findings of the Market Transformation Programme report.  It is the view of the RSC that the lack of standards is inhibiting the use of grey water and rain water.  

In the draft RSC report, two recommendations relevant to the MTP consultation state that:

• Chemical sciences should be used to pursue the introduction of a universal statutory standard for sub-potable water.
  
• Chemical sciences should be used to investigate in detail overseas experience of "fit and forget" formulations and dosing systems for disinfection of rain water and grey water and their appropriateness for use in the UK.   

Appropriate standards will allow greater use of grey water and rain water and result in savings in mains water consumption and the energy and materials consumed during mains water treatment.  Considering the water shortages in the South East of England in 2006 this would seem a sensible approach to reducing mains water demand.