A West Sussex company is this month being recognised by government-funded programme Envirowise for its progress in minimising water use – and saving money in the process.
Littlehampton-based Artetch Circuits - which manufactures Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) - is one of more than a hundred companies which took the plunge and signed up to the Envirowise big splash campaign in 2004, with the aim of reducing their water usage.
Before joining the big splash, Artetch had already taken action by reducing the water flow to a number of different rinse water systems. The big splash has helped the company make additional savings by focusing its attention on measuring water consumption, highlighting the fact that the flow to its static rinses and counter-flow rinses can be further reduced.
Alistair Murray, Technical Manager at Artetch, is delighted with the company’s achievements: “Despite a 25 per cent increase in surface area processed, we have already reduced our water consumption by around 10% and effluent production by around 8%, saving nearly £3,000. We are currently reviewing where it would be possible to re-use rinse water, which we hope will lead to even greater savings in the future.”
Katie Plummer, Envirowise Manager for the South East, says: “Envirowise has calculated that if every business in the South East leaves just one tap dripping for a day, a staggering 8 million litres of water would be wasted. (1) Over the course of a year, the cost to businesses in the region would be more than £2 million. (2)
“By signing up to the big splash challenge in 2005, we can give local companies free, confidential guidance on water minimisation, including an on-site water and waste review and help with implementation and evaluation. Many businesses just don’t realise that simple no-cost or low cost water conservation techniques could cut their annual water consumption by up to 30 per cent.”
To get started, Envirowise recommends considering the following low cost measures:
(1) Turn taps off fully and replace leaking hoses and worn tap washers for a quick and cheap way of saving water. In staff washrooms, push-button taps can use up to half the water used through conventional taps and help prevent floods in event of a sink becoming blocked.
(2) Check your water system for leaks, which can be expensive and cause damage to your building. Take meter readings regularly and carefully – if you are paying for water that you cannot account for you may have a leak.
(3) Reduce your need for mains supply water by looking at ways you could recycle ‘grey water’ such as cleaning equipment, vehicles or outside areas.
(4) To reduce the amount of clean water used in every toilet flush, fit a water displacement device into cisterns – these are often available free of charge from your local water company.
(5) Run a staff competition to identify water-saving ideas or organise a brainstorm. Consider appointing ‘water wardens’ to take responsibility for water minimisation measures in each area of your site.
Envirowise can also offer industry-specific advice on reducing water wastage.
Artetch will be attending an awards ceremony in London on 20 July in recognition for its water-saving environmental improvements.
To find out more about the big splash challenge, and sign up to start saving money and water, call the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585 794 or visit www.envirowise.gov.uk/bigsplash
- Ends -
(1) Based on one dripping tap wasting the equivalent of 26 litres of water a day (Envirowise publication GG67 ‘Cost-effective water saving devices and practices’), and on there being 309,740 businesses in the South East (ONS: ‘UK Business: Activity, Size and Location 2004’)
(2) Based on the cost of water being approximately 0.08 pence per litre (www.ofwat.gov.uk)
Issued on behalf of Envirowise by Harrison Cowley. For further information please contact Kate Sturley or Rod Dennis on 0117 929 2311 or kates@harrisoncowley.com
About Envirowise
Envirowise delivers a valuable programme of confidential advice to UK businesses. This advice enables businesses to improve profitability and reduce environmental impact.
Independent, practical and proven guidance is available through the Envirowise Advice Line, information resources and on site visits (Ireland, Scotland and Wales only) delivered by a national team of expert advisors. Each solution is driven by the specific needs of individual firms, to genuinely improve their business practices, profitability and competitiveness. Since 1994, Envirowise has helped UK industry save £1 billion.
The Envirowise programme is available to any UK business, completely free of charge. For more information visit www.envirowise.gov.uk or call 0800 585 794.