A group of United Utilities graduates have partnered with Atkinson Building Contractors to create a pair of highly water-efficient homes.

The graduates are taking part in the annual CEO Challenge, which sees them tackling some of the water sector's key issues.

This year, one of the challenges is to influence house builders to change home design with water in mind.

Teaming up with Penrith-based Atkinson Building Contractors, the graduates tested a host of measuresat two properties at White Ox View, Penrith, forming part of a 76-affordable home development alongside Riverside.

The properties are set to be occupied this autumn.

Their efficiency efforts have gone beyond the average White Ox View home, which already integrates mechanisms to limit water consumption to 110 litres per person each day.

Two homes also include extra measures such as a 210 litre water butt, flow limiters on taps, and a leak strip to indicate any leaks from the toilet cistern.

Graduate Aritra Das said: “United Utilities already offers incentives to developers who include sustainable drainage and water efficiency measures at new housing developments.

"The aim of this challenge is to make this a really integral part of home design. We don’t want it to be thought of as something which is nice to do – we want to get to a situation where these measures are an automatic part of home-building.

“We’re also keen to help developers communicate with their customers about the steps they can take in their homes to save money and save water.”

On site, two infiltration tanks are in operation, preventing surface water from entering the sewage system.

By storing surplus rainwater, they allow for natural soakaway, helping to protect local water supplies by recharging aquifers.

Neil Mckaskie, Operations Director from Atkinson Building Contractors, said: “We’re always keen to make our homes as efficient as possible and we’ve been working with United Utilities for a while.

“It just makes sense to introduce these measures – it is better for the environment and better for our customers as by saving water, they will also save money.”

Following their occupation, the graduates will have the opportunity to gauge the impact of the supplementary water-saving fixtures, through a comparison of water usage data with other homes within the development.