Affinity Water has rewarded Pace Construction, a developer and contractor specialising in new build homes and energy-efficient construction, as the first developer to secure an incentive payment of more than £60,000 through Ofwat’s Environmental Incentives Common Framework (EICF) audit.

Photo: Affinity Water EICF water efficiency audit

The scheme rewards developers who build homes that exceed basic water efficiency standards and helps embed sustainability into new housing from the start. The EICF is aimed toward incentivising new household developments to build more water efficient properties. This introduces two new elements, the Environmental Component and Environmental Incentive. The framework is only available for developments that have made an application from 1 April 2025.

Pace Construction’s site passed Affinity Water’s Enhanced Tier audit with an impressive estimated use of 89.4 litres per person per day. This is well below Building Regulations and shows how smart design and efficient fittings can cut water use without affecting comfort.

Launched by Ofwat in April 2025, the EICF allows water companies to reward developers who go beyond baseline efficiency standards, offering financial incentives for homes that achieve higher standards of water efficiency.

Since its introduction, the scheme has attracted significant interest within Affinity Water’s region, reflecting a growing industry commitment to sustainability and responsible water use.

Raising the bar for water-efficient new builds

The audit, conducted by Affinity Water’s Sustainable Homes team in September 2025, covered 103 newly built flats under the EICF’s Enhanced Tier.

The tests covered flow rate and volume measurements, leak checks, and data verification. Using the EICF framework, the findings estimated water use at 89.4 lppd, well below the Building Regulations’ mandatory 125 lppd and comfortably within the Enhanced Tier efficiency range of 81–90 lppd.

This performance was made possible by a smart combination of water-efficient fittings, fixtures, and flow restrictors that help reduce consumption without affecting residents’ comfort or ease of use.

EICF Auditor, Ryan Judge added:

“This first audit was a positive and valuable experience, confirming both the effectiveness of the framework and providing practical insight into the audit process. The collaboration between Affinity Water, Pace Construction, and site representatives ensured a smooth audit and a successful outcome.”

Financial rewards for sustainable design

Affinity Water’s tiered incentive system offers payments for three levels of achievement, currently worth up to £2,163 per property, with additional rewards for developers reaching full water neutrality.

By providing tangible financial benefits for efficient design, the scheme is helping to embed sustainability into the development process from the outset.

Julian Webster, Sustainable Homes Technical Manager at Affinity Water said:

“This is a brilliant first example of how the Environmental Incentives can benefit developer customers with a financial reward for enhancing the water efficiency levels of the properties they are developing. We’re excited to see more customers applying and to realise the long-term benefits as new build properties help reduce overall demand.”

Gareth Barker, Head of Developer and Wholesale Experience at Affinity Water commented:

“Each year, around one per cent is added to the UK’s total housing stock, and with every new home built comes an opportunity to create a more sustainable future. This first successful audit marks a significant milestone in delivering homes designed for long-term resilience and exceptional water efficiency.

“By recognising and rewarding developers who lead on sustainability, we can inspire meaningful behavioural and design change across the industry. It’s a fantastic outcome that highlights how innovation in housing can be encouraged while remaining entirely cost neutral for customers”.

The success of Pace Construction’s audit sets a strong precedent for how developers can integrate sustainability into their build programmes whilst unlocking measurable commercial returns.

For Affinity Water, the successful audit is a welcome milestone for the Sustainable Homes team, proving that the EICF framework can directly influence water demand by encouraging efficiency from the design stage.