Beacon

Target 1: 90% of homes (new and existing) reduce demand for reticulated water by 40% per capita;  Council supply to domestic uses is reduced by 50% per capita by 2012;  Use of water within dwellings is appropriate for the quality & use

Our research will answer the questions:

• What are the policy and regulatory pathways to drive uptake of the smartest water conservation intervention technologies at the home and neighbourhood scale?
• How do we define the High Standard of Sustainability in water conservation in New Zealand?
• What are the barriers to uptake of key water conservation interventions and how can they be overcome?
• What is the interaction between water conservation and other key infrastructure for key geo-climatically representative areas of the country? 
• What is water availability for the residential built environment predicted to be in 2050 and beyond?

Target 2: New Zealand homes and neighbourhoods have improved and integrated management of the three waters (supply, waste and storm) to decrease their negative impact on the residential and natural environment, thereby making a more resilient water system by 2020.

Our research will answer the questions:

• What is the economic value case for three waters management for consumers, water industry and councils, and what are the wider social, cultural and environmental costs and benefits?
• What are the barriers to the uptake of low impact engineering and other integrated water management solutions? What are the perceived and real risks, and how can they be overcome?