The Standard Hotel
Kings Cross

System Type:

Location:

Building Use:

BREEAM Rating:

Combined Grey Water Recycling, Rainwater Harvesting & Attenuation 

London, UK

Offices, Gym & Retail

Excellent


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Project Overview 

The Standard Hotel at King’s Cross is one of London’s most recognisable boutique hospitality developments, created through the redevelopment of the former Camden Town Hall Annex directly opposite St Pancras International Station. 

The building combines high-end hotel accommodation, restaurants, bars and event spaces within a landmark architectural setting, with sustainability and efficient building services infrastructure forming key elements of the operational strategy. 

As part of the building’s water reuse infrastructure, a grey water recycling system had originally been installed to reduce potable water demand. However, the system had effectively become mothballed and was operating predominantly on mains water backup due to ongoing operational issues and reliability concerns. 

Indratec was appointed to investigate the system, recommission treatment operations and improve the resilience of the non-potable water infrastructure. 

Grey Water Recycling Scope 

The project involved assessment, modification and recommissioning of the existing grey water recycling installation, including process redesign and hydraulic improvements. 

Scope Included 

  • Recommissioning of mothballed grey water treatment infrastructure 
  • Repurposing of existing tanks and treatment stages 
  • Modification of process flow arrangements 
  • Investigation of mains water backup performance 
  • Hydraulic and booster supply assessments 

Engineering Solution 

Detailed investigation works identified a number of operational and hydraulic issues affecting the system’s performance. 

In addition to the treatment system being bypassed onto mains backup operation, Indratec identified insufficient flow rates on the mains water backup supply arrangement. Under peak demand conditions, the incoming supply was unable to maintain adequate flow to the non-potable booster system, resulting in booster pump shutdowns and operational instability across the building. 

To address these issues, Indratec developed a revised process and hydraulic strategy incorporating: 

  • Repurposing of existing tanks for improved operational functionality 
  • Modification of process flow paths 
  • Improvements to water storage and distribution arrangements 
  • Optimisation of mains backup integration 
  • Stabilisation of booster pump operation under varying demand conditions 

The revised arrangement was designed to improve both treatment system reliability and overall building water supply resilience. 

Project Engineering Challenges 

Key engineering considerations included: 

  • Recommissioning long-term inactive treatment infrastructure 
  • Working within existing live hotel operations 
  • Repurposing existing tanks and equipment 
  • Resolving hydraulic flow limitations 
  • Preventing booster pump shutdown conditions 
  • Improving operational resilience within a high-demand hospitality environment 

Technical Summary 

Project – The Standard Hotel 

Location – King’s Cross, London 

Building Use – Hospitality & Hotel 

System Type – Grey Water Recycling 

Project Scope – Recommissioning & Hydraulic Modifications 

Key Engineering Issue – Inactive Treatment System & Mains Backup Limitations 

Upgrade Works – Tank Repurposing & Process Flow Modifications 

Outcome 

The project successfully identified and addressed multiple underlying operational and hydraulic issues affecting the building’s non-potable water infrastructure. 

Through recommissioning of the grey water recycling system, modification of process arrangements and improvements to the mains backup strategy, Indratec restored operational resilience and improved overall system stability within a demanding live hotel environment.