Southern Water supports the option for DRM1: Water Efficiency that implements the higher water efficiency standard, and supports the evidence set out in the Water Efficiency Paper.

Given that Southern Water's water supply area is currently classified by the Environment Agency as a seriously water stressed area, we would encourage a policy that promotes the higher level of water efficiency of 110 litres/person/day, subject to appropriate justification in your evidence base. Although it is not our role to set out the justification for the optional higher technical standard, we would support the stance you are taking within your document. We take this opportunity to point out that the planning authority would need to ensure compliance with building regulations and planning policies as water companies do not have the required enforcement powers and therefore support the use of planning conditions as a means of ensuring compliance with the optional technical standard.