The challenge

 Water is a finite resource under increasing pressure from climate change and population growth. CAMC recognised the urgent need to control usage to manage operational costs and meet sustainability goals, including achieving Green Tourism Gold status. 

Key Objectives: 

• Quantify water savings from retrofitted technologies. 
• Ensure guest experience remains positive. 
• Validate operational viability for cleaning and maintenance teams. 
• Create a blueprint for future site developments. 

The solution

CAMC partnered and was supported by Ecoprod to design a retrofit package. Black Knowl (BKK) and Tewkesbury (TEW) were selected due to their comparable facilities blocks and sub-metering capabilities. 

 The Technology Package (Black Knowl): 

• Waterless Urinals: Replaced standard flushing systems. 
• Sensor Taps: Installed in public and privacy cubicles with reduced flow rates and optimised run-times. 
• Smart Flushing: Retrofitted toilets with electronic, touchless flush controls and flow regulators. 
• Inclusive Showers: Trial of low-flow aerated heads (6.7lpm & 9lpm). 

The trial cost for materials and installation was £49,731.82. Southern Water provided £18,733.93 in grant aid specifically for the Black Knowl site, significantly improving the Return on Investment profile. 

Results: Black Knowl (Southern Water Region) 

The data collected over the 2024 operating season at Black Knowl delivered compelling results, proving the efficacy of the Southern Water grant. 

Quantitative Impact 

• Water Saved: 1,246,000 litres (a 32% reduction in facilities block usage compared to comparable periods). 
• Financial Saving: Approximately £5,480. 
• Carbon Footprint: Significant reduction in energy required for heating water and pumping wastewater. 

Qualitative Feedback 

• Member Support: 85% of guests supported the water-saving measures. 
• Satisfaction: 81% of guests reported positive or neutral experiences in Customer Service Questionnaires. 
• Staff Engagement: High support from site staff, despite initial teething issues with new technology configurations. 

Operational Learnings & Refinements:

The trial provided critical “real-world” insights that have shaped our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for future rollouts.

Technology Adjustments:

• Toilets: The initial “Easyflush Evo” sensors caused random activation issues. The client has since transitioned to Cistermiser “in-line direct flush” units, which have proven reliable in late-stage testing.
• Taps: Finding the “sweet spot” for flow time was critical. The settings were adjusted throughout the season based on guest feedback:
  • Public areas: 3-second flow (efficient hand washing).
  • Private cubicles: 8-second flow (sufficient for shaving/washing).

Infrastructure Impacts:

• Drainage: Reduced water flow revealed that main drains require weekly flushing (previously monthly) to prevent blockages in older systems with poor gradients. This is now factored into site maintenance schedules.
• Cleaning: Waterless urinals require specific biological cleaning agents to maintain hygiene and prevent odours; standard chemicals cannot be used.

Financial Analysis & Scalability:

The financial case for water efficiency is robust. Across the sites, the project has a projected 7-year payback. However, factoring in the Southern Water grant, the payback period for the New Forest site improves to under 5 years.

Next Steps

Based on the success of the New Forest site trial, the client is proceeding with the following:

• Standardisation: Waterless urinals will be specified for all future major works and new builds.
• Phase 2 Testing: A “Phase 2” tap specification (manual monobloc for privacy areas, sensors for public) will be tested to balance water savings with guest convenience.
• Immediate upgrade of trial sites to the Cistermiser “in-line” flush system to finalise the toilet specification.
• A formal target to reduce water consumption by 30% in the facility blocks on new builds, and look to a longer-term plan of how this can be applied to the network via replacement and minor works.

Conclusion

The collaboration with Ecoprod and Southern Water has been a resounding success. The grant funding allowed the client to de-risk the trial of new technologies, resulting in a 1.25 million litre saving at a single site in one season.

This project not only delivers financial returns but aligns perfectly with CAMC members’ expectations for sustainable tourism and supports the long-term resilience of the regional water supply.