Dry outlook for businesses that don’t reduce water usage
August 1st 2005 By Martin Gibson, programme director, Envirowise
There should be plenty of water in our reservoirs, instead they are drying up. In fact,some parts of the UK are facing the worst drought conditions since 1975-76.The South-East in particular is being hit hard,with a number of hosepipe bans in place.
It is not just low rainfall that is the problem.With limited storage capacity and high demand on our water supply from businesses and households there is relatively little water per head in the UK.According to the Environment Agency, there is less water available per head in the South- East of England, than the desert states of Syria and Sudan.
Even though we don’t face restrictions on how much we drink and use for essential needs,we still need to focus on conserving this scarce natural resource, not least because wasted water is wasted money.
From the facts below, it is clear that inefficient use of our water resources has a negative impact on a businesses’ profits.
UK industry and commerce uses 1300 million m 3
of water every year,at an average cost of 78p per m 3
- this is costing us £1014 million! Factories commonly leave hoses running all day.Leaving a single hose running to drain can cost as much as £46 500 a year – the equivalent of buying a brand new top of the range sportscar! Even a single dripping tap can waste up to 20 litres of water a day, costing £400 a year.
Envirowise,a free,independent and confidential waste minimisation programme has helped many UK businesses cut their water and effluent bills by as much as 50%.
By receiving a water consumption audit you will be moving in the right direction to save money,improve efficiency, and help increase profits.
Join the big splash Joining the big splash campaign will certainly help. Last year we launched the big splash to help companies introduce water saving schemes.
Already over 100 companies are making significant savings.
When you sign up to the big splash, you will receive free industry-specific guidance on water minimisation, including an on-site water and waste review and help with implementation and evaluation. To register for the big splash and to receive your starter pack visit www.envirowise.gov.uk/bigsplash Once we have assessed your needs, you will receive: • ideas for getting started • a tailor made information pack on how your business can save water • one-to-one support from an Envirowise buddy • publications with practical tips • inspiration, via case studies, showing what others have done • online support and presentations • a monitoring tool to track and report water savings • invitations to workshops and events • a request form for a free on-site review,known as a FastTrack visit.
Even if your company has already made savings through water minimisation we can still help you identify further improvements.We are currently working with Genzyme,a pharmaceuticals company based in Suffolk.Genzyme had already implemented a number of water saving initiatives prior to joining the big splash, saving £15 000 through reduced water costs.
Since joining the big splash, Genzyme is using advice obtained through the programme to identify opportunities for further savings.The company has started to install equipment to recycle treated effluent, and intends to develop this project in the future. Genzyme Ltd has reduced its water consumption by 3000 m 3
and effluent production by 4500 m 3
per month from the peak flows experienced at the end of 2003 and the beginning of 2004.
This example shows how companies – of all sizes in all sectors, can make real cost savings.
To find out more about the big splash challenge, and sign up to start saving money and water, call the Energy and Environment. More articles from Water Technology List: | 
