Water is precious

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Water is precious
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Understanding your water use

• Why should we save water
• Setting benchmarks and rating systems
• Understanding the true cost of water
• Managing water better
• Water efficiency audits

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Why should we save water

• Currently businesses in the UK use approximately
  1.3 billion m³ of water per year
• This effects the business, society and the
  environment

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Business

• Water costs money the less you use the less you
  pay
• Reducing water use reduces the amount of heating
  and pumping thereby reducing energy bills
• Competitive advantage as the cost of water and
  energy increase
• Saving today means it will still be there
  tomorrow
• Water efficient businesses are more efficient
  businesses

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Society and the environment

• Water is a vital resource
• 46 of Europeans live in water stressed regions
• In future we are going to experience significant
  reductions in rainfall
• Increasing population in the UK will reduce the
  water available per capita even further

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Setting benchmarks and rating systems

• Setting benchmarks is a useful means of comparing
  your water use with that of your competitors
• It serves as motivation to take action
• Helps to reduce costs
• www.envirowise.gov.uk benchmarking tool

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What does water really cost?

• Many hidden costs
• Disposal of waste
• Energy
• Chemicals
• Equipment
• Labour
• The true cost of water can be up to 4 times more
  than it is on your bill

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• Water is a utilities charge therefore savings add
  to your bottom line
• Represents 1 of business turnover
• New pressures on business to save water
• Target for food industry of 20 by 2020

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Costs

• There are a number of charging schemes for water
  and wastewater (sewerage and trade effluent
  charges) in the UK
• The amount paid depends on
• The service provider
• The size of the meter
• The tariff structure agreed with your service
  provider
• The year (unit costs are reviewed on an annual
  basis).
• Charges for mains or towns supply consist of two
  components
• Standing charge - a fixed annual sum, determined
  by the size of the meter
• Volumetric charge - a unit cost (pence/m3)
  charged on the actual amount of metered water
  used on-site
• Unit costs are revised each year in April and
  vary between service providers

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What can we do?Manage water better

• Seek commitment from management
• Appoint someone within the business to oversee
  water efficiency
• Understand where you are using water within you
  business
• Identify water saving opportunities
• Set realistic goals
• Develop a conservation strategy
• Involve your employees

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Audit you business

• Identify use patterns
• Understand the supply system
• Identify deficiencies in the system
• Identify conservation opportunities
• Benchmark water use
• Develop targets

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Water use

• Water use is an area where businesses can have
  direct influence. For example, significant
  savings can be achieved by simple solutions such
  as fitting simple water saving devices in
  washrooms and toilets

Source Construction Industry Council
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We use water in many ways

• Waste hierarchy applied to water

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Areas for particular attention

• Taps and showers
• Toilets
• Urinals
• Leakage

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Top Tips For Reducing Water Consumption

• Look at your bills to find out how much water is
  used and sewage/effluent discharged
• Carry out a survey to locate all areas where
  water is used on-site
• Install meters and read them regularly to monitor
  water use
• Draw up a water balance for your site
• Identify where and why water is wasted or used
  excessively
• Identify obvious opportunities to reduce water
  use
• Make a commitment to using water efficiently in
  your environmental policy
• Set a target to reduce water use, eg by 10 per
  year
• Implement a water saving campaign
• Provide training and instructions for staff
• Switch off water supply when not needed
• Avoid overflows and eliminate leaks. Check for
  leaks regularly
• Fit flow restrictors and automatic shut-off
  devices
• Fit water-saving devices during a refurbishment
  programme or as part of general maintenance.
• Avoid unnecessary cleaning.
• Sweep up slurries rather than using a hose.
• Check the suitability of disposing of water-based
  wastes down the drain.

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Sources

• www.envirowise.gov.uk
• www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/default.asp
  x
• Future Water The Governments water strategy for
  England DEFRA
• Stern Review The economics of climate change (HM
  Treasury)
• www.waterwise.org.uk