Industry and commerce in England & Wales use enough water to empty all the lakes in the UK – twice a year. That’s equivalent to a biennial filling of the Grand Canyon.
Source: The Environment Agency |
Don’t think of water usage and disposal charges as fixed costs. Many companies could save up to 50% of their water costs by implementing simple, inexpensive water minimisation measures.
Water is not as abundant in England and Wales as you might think, with less than half that available to hotter European countries like France, Italy and Spain. South East England has even less water per person due to its high population density and low rainfall, with the Thames Valley having only one fifth of the England and Wales average.
Source: Environment Agency
Top business tips to save water– and save costs
- Make sure staff are fully aware of the importance of water minimisation
- Fit water minimising controls where possible, e.g. push taps, flow regulator/restrictors, cistern displacement devices, spray nozzles for hoses, low flush toilets and sensor urinal flushing controls
- Ensure pipes are well insulated to protect against frost
- Investigate opportunities for re-using process water
- Keep all water-using equipment well maintained for efficient use
- Take the water efficiency of new equipment into account
Additional resources
Envirowise brings you the Rippleffect initiative which provides businesses
with structured information and support to help achieve water and cost savings. Visit: www.envirowise.gov.uk/rippleffect
Additional tools
Monitoring Tool: Helps organisations easily record and track where water is being used, and analyse the findings
Water Account Tool: Enables organisations to compare their water consumption with others in their industry
WaterNet Tool: Provides practical advice, materials and publications to help organisations save water.
Mogden Formula Tool: Calculates the charges applied to industry for the conveyance and treatment of effluent discharged to the sewers
To access these tools, please go to: www.envirowise.gov.uk/watertools
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