Elemental Solutions: Publications

A selection of books and other publications by Elemental Solutions
	Sewage Solutions; Answering the call of Nature Third Edition - 2006 Available - Centre for Alternative Technology Third edition of the best selling introduction to dealing safely and ecologically with the sewage of up to 50 people. It is written for the lay-person out of the experience of three of the leaders in natural waste water treatment in the UK. Author: N Grant, M Moodie, Dr C Weedon.

	Sustainable Construction - NEW 2008 Available - Amazon Based on a hugely successful series of workshops for professionals in construction, the book covers the history of ideas, materials, measurement, environmental services, and the building design and delivery process through to post-occupancy evaluation.. Author: Sandy Halliday. Water and Sewage Management chapter; Nick Grant, Elemental Solutions.

	Advances in Water Supply Management: Proceedings of the Ccwi'03 Conference, London, 15-17 September 2003 C. Maksimovic (Editor), D. Butler (Editor), F.A. Memon (Editor) Chapter; The Economics of Water Efficient Products in the Household; Nick Grant, Elemental Solutions and David Howarth Environment Agency.

	Water Demand Management - 2006 Available - IWA Publishing Water Demand Management has been prepared by the academic, government and industry network WATERSAVE. Editors: David Butler, Fayyaz Memon. Chapter 4; Water Conservation Products; Nick Grant, Elemental Solutions.

	Good Building Guides No. 42, parts 1 and 2. Available -BRE bookshop These booklets, providing guidance for building regulation requirements for reedbeds, give a snapshot of the state of reed bed waste water treatment in the UK covering application and specification (pt 1) and design maintenance and construction (pt 2). Author: N Grant, J Griggs.

	Title: Reed beds: for the treatment of domestic wastewater (Prepared for GBG 42 above) Available -BRE bookshop This report provides an overview of the specification and design of reed bed systems for the treatment of domestic wastewater, in the context of the UK climate and regulations. It is targeted at those wishing to gain an overview and clarification of the technologies available. Some case studies of different types of system and application are provided Author: N Grant, J Griggs.

	Septic Tanks, An Overview Available - Centre for Alternative Technology This booklet is intended for those who are installing, or already have, a septic tank or who are considering 'upgrading' to a fashionable alternative such as reedbeds . It is hoped that it will reduce some of the confusion and misinformation surrounding the humble septic tank. Author: N Grant, M Moodie.

	CPD module on sustainable water management Available - Gaia Research This was commissioned by and for Gaia Research of Edinburgh. The publication was complemented by presentations in England and Scotland. Author: N Grant, S Haliday.

	Sustainability Works Web site Elemental Solutions assisted with the water aspect of this site. Author: J Broome, N Grant


	Ecohouse 3 Elemental Solutions wrote the 'Using Water Wisely' chapter of second and third edition of the Ecohouse design guide. This book outlines the key issues, strategies and design solutions for designers and self-builders who want to build low energy impact homes. Written by Professor Sue Roaf, Manuel Fuentes and Stephanie Thomas. Architectural Press 2007.

Publications available free of charge:
	Towards a 'New Vernacular' With Architype for the Countryside Agency, Elemental Solutions provided copy for the water efficiency, surface water drainage and rural sewage treatment section. Report available as a free pdf download from the Countryside Agency Website: www.countryside.gov.uk/positiveplanning

	Conserving Water in Buildings a practical guide New 2008 Available - Environment Agency The third edition of this technical guidance on water efficiency in buildings is now only available as a download. Author: N Grant.

	The Economics of Water Efficient Products in the Household Available - Environment Agency - Tel 01903 832275 Commissioned by the Environment Agency to evaluate the feasibility of subsidizing water efficient products. Author: N Grant.

Papers, articles and presentations:
Download - 520 K	Combi Boilers and Low Flow fittings. This report was comissioned by the Environment Agency to investigate concerns about the incompatibility of water efficient taps and showers with combination boilers. Whilst the content is techncal it is written for a non-technical audience. Author: N Grant. June 2007

Download - 284 K	CIBSE paper - Abstract This paper is intended to encourage practitioners to 'do the numbers', to check for compatibility with the project brief and the management context as well as actual performance and ecological impact before jumping to conclusions. Author: N Grant, C Morgan.

Download -480 K	Watersave paper This desktop review aims to assess the state of the art and future potential for 'water conservation products'. In looking at actual technologies the paper starts to explore a number of related questions: How does efficiency compare with recycling and harvesting? Does reduced water consumption mean reduced performance and hygiene standards? Are water efficiency measures cost effective? Author: N Grant.

Download - 176 K	Best Practice water-efficient WCs. Of the appliances that use water, the WC uses the most; about 30-40% of domestic water use and up to 90% for offices and public conveniences. Therefore, optimising the water used by a toilet can make the greatest savings, but what is current best practice for the environment-conscious designer or builder? Article first published in Building For a Future magazine, autumn 2002. Author: N Grant.

Original Article Download - 192 K NEW - Eco-Minimalism Revisited - 500K full version of Comment published in the Architects' Journal 20.03.08	Eco-minimalism This article came about as the result of two separate think pieces being developed simultaneously by each of the authors. Both of them have a long track record of living and working with green design and technology and are confronted in their daily business with what they have come to see as a number of 'eco-clichés' which can get in the way of good, efficient and truly environmentally sound solutions.This is their plea for some common-sense thinking to precede design and specification decisions that cost time, effort, energy and ultimately reputations if not properly grounded. Howard Liddell and Nick Grant pique our consciences.... Article first published in Building For a Future magazine, Winter 2002-03. Author: H Liddell, N Grant