On 2 June, the Duke of Edinburgh opened Thames Water’s new desalination plant and the first in the UK. The Thames Gateway Water Treatment Works has the capacity to provide drinkable water for one million Londoners in times of drought. The plant works by forcing water from the Thames through very fine membranes to remove the salt. In an energy efficient move, water will only be extracted when the tide is on the way out and is a third less salty than when on the way in. The plant also runs on biodiesel which gives it good green credentials.
The desalination plant will only work in times of water shortage but with the population of London expecting to grow by 700,000 in the next ten years and with rainfall around London only just meeting existing demand; the plant is expected to be called on with increasing frequency over the next decade.
So, with this additional water resource, is it time to rush out and install a new bathroom? It is true that having a quick shower in the morning enhances your energy levels and leaves you better equipped to face the day. Alternatively what could be better than a relaxing soak in a bath in the evening to soothe away the work stresses? Whether shower or bath, what matters most is that the room is clean, elegant and somewhere you want to be. Don’t underestimate the effect that carefully chosen bathroom lighting can have.
Professional bathroom installers are expert at helping you to make the most of the available space, whether you are looking for bathroom fitting London or a shower room or even a wet room. It is well worth consulting them at an early stage as they will be able to help you realise your dream room. Whilst, with a few exceptions, you won’t need planning permission to install a new bathroom, you may need building regulations and your installer will also be able to advise you on this. They will also be able to manage your project from start to finish including bathroom design, electrics, plumbing and tiling. They can also source your bathroom fixtures for you.
Wet rooms are popular nowadays but unfortunately some buildings just aren’t suitable. For a proper wet room, you need all round tiling, including tiling on the floor which has to slope to a drainage point. The upstairs floor boards and joists in some houses aren’t built to remain as rigid as a wet room needs. There are ways around this problem but they can be expensive. If you are lucky enough to be able to install a wet room then consider adding the final touch of luxury with underfloor heating.
If you opt for a bathroom or shower room, one of the keys to relaxation is to keep it as uncluttered as possible and not go overboard on the bathroom accessories. Of course, Londoners need to find skilled bathroom fitters London. If you already have one room with a bath then ask yourself how often you use it and whether you do need a second one. However, don’t go for a shower on the basis of water saving as a power shower generally uses more water than a bath.
Finally, don’t worry about the quality of the water if the desalination plant does come into use. After all, the earliest records of filtering water to purify it date back to 2000 BC and technology has come a long way since then.
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