Legislation and profits emerge as key drivers for companies to cut water use, and clean up their act.
The EA states "anybody who holds a time limited abstraction licence will, at the time of renewal, have to demonstrate that they are using water efficiently."
SEPA confirms "environmental legislation is on the increase and it is important that your company is complying. SEPA provides advice on how to comply through NetRegs"
In Northern Ireland, "EHS has a responsibility under the Water Order to ensure that consented discharges don't cause pollution and that the consent conditions are complied with. An annual charge, based on effluent strength and volume, applies to all discharges that are sampled by the Department. This approach should focus industries on reducing both the strength and volume of their effluent."
There are positive drivers towards efficient water use, too, as SEPA point out, such as "the market advantage that having 'green' credentials can provide. Taking responsibility for resource efficiency and minimising wastewater production, and pollution, is good for the environment and good for business."
More information on reasons to minimise water.
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