This research program explored how emerging digital technologies targeted at ‘end-uses’ and ‘end-users’ may disrupt the provision of water supply and sewage services and lead to improved customer experiences and more sustainable outcomes.
It focused on the near-term introduction of smart devices into bathroom and plumbing systems within commercial/public buildings and 'smart homes of the future'. The program addressed the potential and the implications of these technologies and sought to answer: What could these disruptive new digital plumbing technologies in buildings and homes mean for Sydney Water, its customers, the community, and the environment?
This program trialled smart bathroom fixtures in commercial and public buildings to test their capacity to improve water and energy savings. The ‘Bathrooms of the Future’ trial included smart bathroom fixtures, such as ‘smart command’ by GWA/Coroma, and other digital devices for metering or control of water flows within commercial or public buildings.
The aim was to test the technology and strategies for reducing water and energy use. In particular, this stream investigated patterns of water use in commercial bathrooms by end-use, how various factors such as season, gender and pressure influences water use patterns, and the extent to which we can impact water use patterns with targeted messaging (e.g. COVID-safe hand washing or using half flush).
Researchers
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Research Assistant -
Professor and Research Director -
Senior Research Consultant -
Program lead - Water futures -
Senior Research Consultant
Years
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2020 - 2023
Client
- Sydney Water
- GWA Group
- Caroma Industries Limited
SDGs
This project is working towards UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 9, and 11.
