UK's 'Desert State'

ENVIROWISE URGES BUSINESSES TO CURB WATER WASTAGE - UK businesses using up to three times more water than necessary

Envirowise, the government-funded programme, which advises businesses on improving their bottom lines by being more resource efficient, today launches Water Wealth, an initiative to encourage UK businesses to cut down the amount of water they are pouring down the drain every single day. UK industry and commerce use a staggering 1300 million m3 (See note 1) of water every year, which is three times more water than necessary.

The wastage is contributing to a desert state in Britain with figures showing there to be less water per head in the South East of England than in countries such as Syria and Sudan (See note 2).

Dr Martin Gibson, Programme Director at Envirowise explained: It has been widely publicised that Southern England has had its driest nine months since 1976 (See note 3) and there has been a significant focus on water usage around the home and garden. However, commercial and industrial usage accounts for nearly a third of all water used in the UK (See note 4), significantly contributing to this current water shortage. For example the food and drink industry use as much as 312 million m of water every year and Electronics as much as 247 million m3 (See note 5).

A business that implements a simple and effective water conservation technique can cut its annual water consumption by up to 30% (See note 6) and enjoy substantial cost savings. In addition, there are a number of real incentives for industry to invest in technologies that promote the efficient use of water, these offer tax relief via the Governments Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme (See note 7).

Dr Martin Gibson continued: However, by ignoring the issue, there will be serious implications for the future; the cost of water will rise as increases in demand begin to outpace supply. Therefore wasting water will be a massive drain on profits as well as the environment.

The main industrial users need to look at ways of cutting their consumption and office workers have to realise they have a role to play as well to help cut the financial as well as environmental cost.

Many people are adopting water efficient practices at home for instance not leaving taps running when brushing their teeth and only using full washing machines - and they need to take the same mentality into work with them. Facilities management teams need to put in place many of the water saving measures but workers can help as well by only using what is necessary and reporting wastage. Facilities managers or personnel looking to implement a water efficient programme should take a look at the Envirowise website which offers practical advice and tips.

Envirowise estimates that the typical worker uses 50 litres a day at work (See note 8), up to three times more than the 13-24 litres per person that a water-efficient offices require (See note 9), which equates to the amount needed a day by a camel crossing the desert in hot weather (See note 10).

To mark the launch of Water Wealth, Envirowise will be unveiling an 8 ft pyramid made up of 56 water cooler bottles, representing the staggering 1,036 litres of water used needlessly by the average office worker every month. The unveiling will take place at 8.30am on Tuesday 9th August at Exchange Square, Broadgate Centre, London.

In addition, Dr Martin Gibson, Programme Director at Envirowise will be accompanied by a family of camels, mother natures natural water conservators, to help visually hammer home to businesses the issue of water conservation.

Envirowise is committed to helping UK industry bank even more money through water conservation techniques that could cut annual water consumption by up to 30% (See note 11). To help businesses take the first steps to becoming more water resource efficient, Envirowise recommends considering the following practical measures:

1. Dont think of water use and disposal charges as fixed costs. Many companies can save up to 50% of their water costs through implementing simple and inexpensive water minimisation measures.
2. Always measure and monitor the amount of water you use. Compare water use each year. Also compare water use against production output for manufacturing companies and against staff numbers for service sectors.
3. Appoint a water monitor within your organisation to undertake periodic site walk-overs to identify water minimisation opportunities.
4. Make sure staff are fully aware of the importance of water minimisation and encourage them to report leaks, ensure that identified leaks are repaired quickly.
5. Ensure pipes are well insulated to protect against frost damage.
6. Investigate opportunities for re-using process water.
7. Keep water-using equipment well maintained and check it periodically for leaks.
8. When purchasing new equipment, take its water efficiency into account. It may be more expensive to buy water efficient equipment, but it may have a short payback period due to the water savings achieved.
9. Fit water minimising controls where possible, eg push taps, flow regulator/restrictors, cistern displacement devices, spray nozzles on hoses, low flush toilets and sensor urinal flushing controls. A water displacement device such as a cistern bag supplied free of charge by most water companies or simply a 1-litre plastic bottle filled with water, in toilet cisterns to reduce the amount of water per flush.
10. Turn off taps fully a 5mm stream of water wastes 528 000 litres of water each year. This could cost up to 705 per year.

The launch of Water Wealth will take place at 8.30am on Tuesday 9th August at Exchange Square, Broadgate Centre near Liverpool Street Station.

Envirowise provides a range of help for businesses interested in cutting water consumption:

• A variety of guides provides ideas and practical advice on water minimisation
• On site visits* provide a specialist evaluation of water use and costs, and how much businesses could save by reducing waste

Note 1: Review of water use in UK industry and commerce, June 2001

Note 2: Environment Agency, www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Note 3: Environment Agency, www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Note 4: Ofwat, Security of Supply, leakage and the efficient use of water 2003-04 report

Note 5: Review of water use in UK industry and commerce. June 2001

Note 6: Envirowise, www.envirowise.gov.uk

Note 7: Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme, www.eca-water.gov.uk. This is available for businesses throughout the UK.

Note 8: DEFRA: Environmental Guidelines for company reporting on water

Note 9: DEFRA: Environmental Guidelines for company reporting on water

Note 10: www.science.howstuffworks.com

Note 11: Envirowise, www.envirowise.gov.uk

* Please note that different services are available in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – please contact our Advice Line on 0800 585 794 for more information on whether you are eligible for a site visit.