Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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220. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a detailed report of all water conservation standards/regulation in building since his last attempt to introduce water charges and this Government's future plans on the issue. [43572/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Building regulations, which are primarily concerned with the safety and wellbeing of persons in and around buildings, set down mandatory performance standards for buildings, and these performance standards are reviewed and upgraded over time. The statutory requirements are set out in twelve parts (classified as parts A to M) included under the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 1997 - 2014. Technical guidance documents (TGDs) are published to accompany each of the twelve parts in order to demonstrate how the statutory requirements may be achieved in practice.

In relation to the conservation of water, Part H of the Building Regulations, which concerns Drainage and Waste Water Disposal, was last updated in 2010 and the accompanying TGD H 2010 already references water sustainability systems which are coming into increasing use (e.g. rainwater harvesting systems and greywater usage). While Part H 2010 did not require the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in new houses, by referencing such systems in the building code, my Department enables such systems, where used, to be designed and constructed in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with the best available national and international guidance.

Part G of the Building Regulations, which concerns Hygiene, was last amended in 2008 and in the interests of water efficiency dual flush toilets are now standard when toilets are being installed or replaced in buildings.

My Department has also published design guidance for local authorities - Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities(2007) –which emphasises environmental sustainability and resource efficiency in the design and construction of new housing. The influence of this guidance extends beyond social housing provision to provide an important reference point in promoting sustainability issues generally.