Water reuse retrofit: SDS urged policymakers to target existing buildings

SDS said it urged policymakers at Westminster events to put retrofit at the centre of water resilience policy, arguing that new-build measures alone would not deliver sufficient change.

Water Resources DeskWater companies, regulation and rainwater harvesting.17 Oct 2026

Rainwater tank and pipework beside an existing brick building illustrating water reuse retrofit

Key facts

1SDS said it urged Westminster policymakers to make retrofitting existing buildings central to UK water resilience policy.
2SDS cited more than 26 million existing UK homes, compared with approximately 200,000 homes built annually.
3SDS supported moves to standardise dual-pipe systems in new developments but said new-build measures alone would be insufficient.
4SDS said rainwater capture and reuse could reduce mains water demand and help mitigate flooding.
5SDS said wider adoption of existing water management technology required coordinated action by government, industry and the built environment sector.

What happened

SDS urged policymakers at Westminster events to make retrofit central to UK water resilience policy, according to its account published on 11 August 2026, which identified schools, commercial premises and public infrastructure alongside existing homes as targets for action.

The company said it attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Sustainable Flood and Drought Management meeting at the House of Lords on 14 July. Lord Taylor of Holbeach hosted the meeting in Room G of the Lords Committee Rooms, with Lee Pitcher MP chairing it.

According to SDS, the discussions examined how planning, innovation and water resource management could support resilience to flooding and drought over the longer term. The company said the events brought policymakers together with water specialists and industry representatives to consider practical responses to water security challenges.

SDS argued that principles being developed for dual-pipe systems in new buildings should also be applied to retrofit projects. Its position was that extending those principles to existing properties would have a greater impact than restricting their application to new developments.

The company said it intended to continue working with government, academic and industry stakeholders to turn policy ambitions into solutions that could be deployed more widely. Its account also acknowledged contributions to the report and discussions from Dr Julia Buckley MP and George Warren.

The background

SDS based its case on the limited annual reach of new-build requirements. Comparing approximately 200,000 new UK homes a year with an existing stock of more than 26 million, it argued that standards applying only to new housing would cover well under 1% of homes annually.

The earlier Westminster event was the launch of Policy Connect’s Bricks and Water report at the House of Lords, hosted by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering, according to SDS. The company said participants included representatives of government, industry and academia, with discussion covering sustainable water management and adaptation to climate change.

For existing buildings, SDS identified intelligent rainwater harvesting and water reuse systems as technologies that could support retrofit. Its account placed the capture of rainfall at source within its proposed approach to managing water across the existing built environment.

What people are saying

SDS welcomed the increased attention being given to water reuse in sustainability policy. The company described moves towards dual-pipe standards as a way to incorporate water efficiency into buildings from the outset.

In its account, SDS presented the Westminster meetings as opportunities for researchers, policymakers and industry specialists to develop practical responses to climate adaptation challenges. The account set out the company’s position without providing direct quotations from individual speakers.

What happens next

SDS’s account gave no timetable for changes to policy or delivery of retrofit installations. It did not report a government commitment to adopt the company’s proposals.

The account also left the proposed implementation arrangements unspecified: it identified no retrofit funding programme, installation targets or technical requirements for existing buildings. Its call for wider deployment therefore did not establish a delivery programme for building owners, designers or contractors.

Timeline

Before 14 July 2026; exact date not stated
SDS said it attended the House of Lords launch of Policy Connect’s ‘Bricks and Water’ report, hosted by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering.
14 July 2026
According to SDS, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Sustainable Flood and Drought Management met at the House of Lords. Lord Taylor of Holbeach hosted the meeting and Lee Pitcher MP chaired it.
11 August 2026
SDS published its account of the Westminster discussions and its call for water reuse measures in existing buildings.

Why this matters

For drainage and flood professionals, SDS’s position links retrofit water efficiency with rainfall management rather than treating reuse solely as a new-build issue. The company said existing buildings offer opportunities to cut treated mains water demand, while capturing rainfall at source can support flood mitigation. It identified wider adoption and coordination across government, industry and the built environment as necessary steps, rather than a need to wait for new technology.

Frequently asked questions

What did SDS ask policymakers to do about water reuse?

SDS said retrofit should become central to UK water resilience policy, with water reuse measures extended beyond new developments to existing buildings.

Why does SDS say new-build water standards are not enough?

SDS cited approximately 200,000 new UK homes annually against more than 26 million existing homes. It said standards focused only on new construction would address well under 1% of the housing stock each year.

Which existing buildings could benefit from water reuse?

SDS identified opportunities across residential, education and commercial properties, alongside public infrastructure, to reduce treated mains water demand through retrofit.

What technology did SDS suggest for water reuse retrofits?

SDS highlighted intelligent rainwater harvesting and water reuse systems. It said suitable technology already exists, but adoption needs to increase.

Can rainwater reuse help reduce flood risk?

SDS said capturing rainwater where it falls and reusing it could support flood mitigation through better rainfall management, while also easing pressure on water supplies.

Did SDS support dual-pipe systems in new homes?

SDS welcomed moves towards standardising dual-pipe systems in new developments. It argued that applying those principles to retrofit would deliver greater impact.

Where did SDS raise its water resilience proposals?

SDS said it attended Westminster events including Policy Connect’s ‘Bricks and Water’ report launch and a parliamentary group meeting on flood and drought management, both at the House of Lords.

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