Protecting the Environment through Efficient Use of Water

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• Protecting the Environment through Efficient Use
  of Water
• Steve Johnston - EA

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Objectives

• Provide guidance on how to make simple changes in
  your premises that can have a positive impact on
  the environment.

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Environment Agency - Who are we?

• The EA is a non Departmental public body,
  sponsored by DEFRA and charged with safeguarding
  and improving the environment for present and
  future generations.
• We regulate many activities that have an impact
  on the environment, including those that have the
  potential to cause pollution of air, land and
  water.
• Derwent catchment EA involvement, Still Waters
  Project, Loweswater Project, pro-active pollution
  prevention

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Information Resources

• NETREGS - A website designed to guide small
  businesses through all aspects of environmental
  regulations.
• Found at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs
  
• Other useful sites - Agency website - Water
  Resources pages and ppg
• www.envirowise.gov.uk - Waternet
• Conservation - www.english-nature.org.uk
  

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Love your Lakes

• A guide to lake environmentally friendly
  management practices of Hotels, Guesthouses,
  Training Centres and other residential Holiday
  Homes
• Produced by BLRP and Tourism and Conservation
  Partnership

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Common Interest

• We all have a common interest in protecting the
  Lakes environment.
• Over 15 million people visit the Lake District
  every year.
• The environment is the bedrock of the tourist
  industry.
• The number of visitors puts pressure on water
  quality.

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Why is water use important

• It affects the quality and quantity of water
  available in the catchment.
• Many users of water need to be balanced.
• Large abstractions on the Derwent, UU at Barepot,
  Corus
• Many sensitive species protected by SSSI status
• Its a delicate balance

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You can make a difference

• Many businesses dont realise that even if they
  are located away from the lakeside that they can
  impact on water quality and usage.
• The two most significant areas where you can
  make a difference are in the efficient treatment
  of sewage and the efficient use of water.

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Treatment of Sewage

• Most sewage ends up in the Lake. If not treated
  to a high standard the sewage can seriously
  impact on water quality.
• Ensure that your sewage treatment system, package
  plant or septic tank is well designed and
  operating effectively.
• The discharge from your sewage treatment facility
  may need the approval of the EA and may need a
  formal Consent to Discharge.

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Tips on Preventing Problems from your Sewage
Treatment System

• Minimise the amount of chemicals used on site
• Consider using env friendly cleaners
• Enter into maintenance contract to maintain and
  desludge the system as required.
• Install grease trap in kitchen.
• Check discharge from plant on a regular basis.

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Controlling Phosphates

• Phosphates trigger algal blooms
• Main culprits are lawn fertilisers, washing
  products, beauty products, shampoo but most
  derives from human sewage
• Tips on reduction of phosphate use - try not to
  use fertilisers, use phosphate free products,
  only use washing facilities when machines are
  full, use less detergent.

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Water Efficiency

• Reducing the amount of water you use will reduce
  the pressure on local water resources
• A reduction will also reduce the amount of sewage
  produced
• Could save you money if you are metered.
• The key is making the time to make these changes

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How to reduce water use

• Repair any dripping taps
• Provide buckets and bowls for cleaning guests
  bikes, boots to prevent running taps
• Use spray equipment when rinsing plates
• Provide showers in all guests rooms, not power
  showers. Tell your guests why you have done this.
• Install timers on showers

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Tips - Continued

• Encourage guests to reuse towels
• Reduce the water used in toilet flushing by
  adjusting the flush in the cisterns
• Wash vegetables in full sink rather than under a
  running tap
• Ensure washing machines and dishwashers are full
  before use
• Install a water butt to collect rainwater for
  watering garden and washing guests bikes, boots
  etc.

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Tips - Continued

• If installing new plumbing system consider grey
  water system where water is collected and reused
  for use to flush toilets, water gardens etc.
• Aim to make one water saving change per week

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Other concern - Preventing Pollution

• Pollution is a real concern in the Lakes.
• Tips on avoiding pollution are-
• Store all chemicals safely in an area where
  spillages can be contained.
• Review oil storage, all tanks over 200 litres
  need to be bunded
• Know your drains

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Inspired

• Hopefully.
• In the Lake District we have a real jewel in the
  crown, its worth protecting
• By safeguarding the environment you are
  safeguarding the future of the Lake District
  tourist industry.