Water costs UK industry £1 014 million a year, so the scope for savings is substantial. Many manufacturers use a great deal of water during production, in boiler rooms, canteens and in vehicle washing.
Industrial businesses can reduce water consumption by:
- water metering, which will help you understand and manage your water and effluent
- switching off water supplies when they are not needed
- avoiding overflows and eliminating leaks
- fitting flow restrictors and automatic shut-off devices
- providing training and clear instructions for operators
- avoiding unnecessary cleaning
- sweeping up slurries rather than using a hose
- re-using or recycling wash, wastewater or rinse waters
- using natural convection or forced air cooling instead of water cooling
- using process wastewater as cooling water.
Case in point
Hampshire Cosmetics teamed up with Envirowise to identify areas where water management could be improved further. This led to
- increased water recycling within the process
- reduced water costs of up to £22 200/year.
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Benefits to business | Steps to stop water waste | In industrial firms