Since the Big Splash was launched Envirowise has been working with over 150 companies across the UK to provide training and advice on how to reduce water use and make substantial cost savings. So far, companies involved have identified savings of over £1.75 million and water savings of more than 2 million m3 of water. Here's what 12 of them, in different sectors, achieved.
Arenson Group Ltd is a leading UK office furniture manufacturer. The company employs nearly 200 staff at its state-of-the-art head office, showroom and factory in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. Having already implemented a number of water saving measures before joining the Big Splash, the company has mainly looked at monitoring as a means of reducing consumption still further and has already saved nearly £6 000, reducing its water consumption by 1 144 m3.
Artetch Circuits, a PCB manufacturer in West Sussex, has reduced its water consumption by approximately 10% (4 829 m3) and effluent production by almost 8% (2 995 m3) saving £2 910.
This has been achieved against a background of an approximately 25% increase in surface area processed.
BT Group is one of Europe's leading providers of telecommunications services, and employs approximately 100 000 staff nationally. The Group uses around 2 million m3 water. Through ensuring working urinal controls were present across the group, and repairing leaks on underground supply pipes previously identified through metering, BT Group reduced water consumption by 6% (125 548 m3) saving £188 322.
Genzyme Ltd, a pharmaceuticals company based in Suffolk, has reduced its water consumption by 3 000 m3 and effluent production by 4 500 m3 per month from the peak flows experienced at the end of 2003 and beginning of 2004.
Headland Foods is a manufacturer of frozen ready meals employing over 400 staff in Flint, North Wales. Joining the Big Splash has helped Headland Foods realise the true cost of water. In a full year Headland Foods reduced its water consumption by 26.7% (49 000 m3) and effluent by 27% (46 000 m3).
Indesit Company is one of Europe's largest domestic appliance manufacturers with four UK plants. One of its factories, located in Stoke-on-Trent, employs approximately 1 200 employees and so consumes significant quantities of water.
The advice it has received through the Big Splash initiative has provided the company with the support needed to manage its water more effectively. Having spent £15 000 on implementing water management measures, so far the company has seen savings of £45 000 per annum.
"The expertise gave us the ability to better manage our water resources." Mike Birch, Environment Manager, Indesit Company
Marstair Ltd designs and manufactures air conditioning, heating and ventilating equipment in Yorkshire. Despite already being a small user of water, Marstair Ltd was able to implement simple water minimisation techniques to reduce water use by almost 7%.
SCA Packaging, a manufacturer of corrugated fiberboard packaging based in Edinburgh and employing over 150 staff, has reduced water consumption by almost 25% (2 833 m3) and effluent discharge volume by almost 4% (94 m3), saving over £4 000.
SPS Technologies Ltd, manufacturers of aerospace fasteners, employs 355 staff in Leicester and reduced its water consumption by approximately 24% (6 200 m3) saving £3 400.
Stead McAlpin is a specialist textile printer based in Carlisle, employing 222 staff. Through involvement in the Big Splash, Stead McAlpin has recognised how small changes can lead to substantial savings. All its actions have cost very little, but have reduced water use by a third, saving around £100 000.
The Co-operative Group is the largest consumer co-operative in the UK. The Group's Head Office as well as its retail, retail logistics and distribution, and funeral operator divisions have joined the Big Splash in order to identify ways of managing water use.
Treves UK manufactures automotive trim components near Harrogate and employs 261 staff. Although the factory has expanded since joining the Big Splash, which has led to increased water use overall, the company has saved £1 800 with relatively few costs.
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