Envirowise is calling on firms in the North East to take six key steps to prevent unnecessary water waste at work – ahead of possible water shortages this summer.
England and Wales suffered the driest January for almost a decade, and six water companies are already operating hosepipe bans in the South East.
But if companies act now, improved water efficiency could help lessen the impact of reduced rainfall and potential drought measures, while making a big impact on their bottom line by reducing rising utility costs too.
Envirowise - which offers free advice and support to firms looking to become more resource efficient and save money - recommends the following six steps to help stem water waste:
- 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.
- Take meter readings regularly and carefully – this will help identify changes in water use.
- Reduce your need for mains supply water by looking at ways you could recycle ‘grey water’ for cleaning equipment, vehicles or outside areas, for example.
- Reduce the amount of clean water used in every toilet flush by fitting a water displacement device into cisterns – these are often available free of charge from your local water company.
- 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.
- Contact Envirowise on 0800 585 794 or contact your water services provider – they can both supply you with a wide range of free water saving advice.
Envirowise regional manager for the North East, Guy Bashford, says: “If every business in the region leaves just one tap dripping for a day, a staggering 1.5 million litres of water would be wasted[1]. Over the course of a year, the cost to businesses in the North East would be more than half a million pounds[2]. By taking a few simple steps firms can help dramatically reduce water wastage and save themselves money in the process.”
This message to businesses comes as the government appeals for individuals to join forces across the UK to reduce the impact of water shortages. Speaking at water industry conference Source 2006 last month, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Elliot Morley, said it is not simply down to the water companies, government, or consumers alone, to take action:
“Only a joint effort from every one of us to understand what we can do, and then do it, will reduce the risk of shortages should this period of low rainfall extend to the summer. Consumers and businesses can telephone water companies or visit their websites for advice on making more efficient use of their water. This doesn’t mean draconian cutbacks, but common sense ways of ensuring water isn’t just wasted.”[3]
To find out more about reducing water waste - or to arrange a free on-site resource efficiency review (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales only) from Envirowise – call 0800 585 794 or visit www.envirowise.gov.uk
- Ends -
13 March 2006
Issued on behalf of Envirowise by Harrison CowleyMedia Contacts: Kate Sturley or Rod Dennis on 0117 929 2311
Notes to Editors:
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 59,635 businesses in the North 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)
3. Source: www.defra.gov.uk/news/2006/060202e.htm (2 Feb 2006)
To find out more you can download the following practical guides at www.envirowise.gov.uk on water saving: GG523 – Cost saving water devices and practices, GG152R – Tracking water use to cut costs and GG027 - Saving Money Through Waste Minimisation: Teams and Champions.
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 (Northern 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 over £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