It makes good business sense to be water-efficient
May 28th 2010 Organisations can save at least 20% of their water use through simple measures
The UK is often perceived to have a wet climate, however the UK has less water available per person than most other European countries, and parts of the UK including Scotland have experienced drought in recent years with the Environment Agency classifying some areas as under ‘serious water stress’. Climate change and population growth mean that our water is going to have to go further, and water efficiency is unique in that it is a key tool in both climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Water efficiency is essential for mitigation, because of the carbon costs of heating water both for industrial processes, and for “domestic”processes in buildings and offices, such as cooking, heating and cleaning (in homes this accounts for five percent of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions). So wasting less hot water reduces the carbon footprint at the user end, but it also does so at the supplier end, as the water company is required to pump and treat less water and wastewater.
Water efficiency is also essential for adaptation – every sector of the economy is dependent on water,and in the coming years less water will have to go further. Water efficiency can make significant, quantified contributions to the UK’s carbon targets of 80% by 2050 and 34% by 2020. It is also essential to the UK’s climate change adaptation plans.
A 2009 Envirowise report indicates that “Electricity, Gas, Steam, and Hot Water Supply” is the single largest consumer of water of all industrial activities in the UK, representing 34% of water consumption. And a 1999 Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) report showed that 90% of industrial energy consumption is accounted for by the use of hot water and steam to drive processes.
So there are considerable opportunities for water efficiency in the non-domestic sector – to help adapt to climate change as well as mitigate it - in terms of both industrial and ‘domestic’ processes and consumption behaviour by staff.
All businesses are able to benefit from reducing their water use and increasing their water efficiency.There are a number of costs to the business relating to water consumption; they not only have to pay for their supply, but they also have to pay for its disposal, its heating and they may also have top pay for the treatment and pumping of the water. Reducing water consumption will have a positive financial effect on the company based on these factors. There are also non-financial benefits of being water efficient. Stakeholders such as suppliers and customers are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, demanding that businesses take a sustainable approach to using natural resources.
By responding proactively businesses can attract and retain customers and employees. Businesses can also create interest from investors, stakeholders and the media by showing that it is well managed. Water efficiency in business can also increase the security of water supply to the business and encourage staff engagement.
In the commercial and business sector, there is an increasing recognition of the economic and environmental benefits of business resource efficiency through water efficiency, with some companies starting to work towards ‘water neutral’ production, and taking forward water efficiency in their own processes and buildings, and even in some cases in their supply chains.
But this is by no means mainstream.
In the public sector, current procurement standards are not mandatory for water efficiency, and do not always reflect the best available on the market – and performance on water efficiency is extremely patchy, even when this would contribute directly to energy efficiency. The Environmental Audit Committee of the House of Commons recently criticised government plans to meet SOGE (Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate) targets.
So,despite significant progress in recent years on driving sustainable use of water, through policy and regulatory change, domestic retrofitting partnerships, product development and behaviour change, mainstreaming non-domestic water efficiency remains a key challenge, and the opportunities for organisations to save water in the context of climate change and to save costs in the wider economic climate remain far from being fully taken up – despite the financial driver of all nondomestic users of water being metered (in contrast to domestic users, of whom only 1/3 in England, 1/4 in Wales and less than one percent in Scotland are metered). The developing carbon market also offers considerable opportunities for both large and smaller non-domestic consumers of water to save money through hot water efficiency measures,water efficiency measures in industrial processes, and through hot and cold water efficiency measures in their offices, buildings and supply chains.
Organisations can save at least 20% of their water use through simple measures such as fixing leaks (after identifying these through meters) and switching to technologies such as urinals, toilets, taps and showers which use vastly smaller amounts of water – and greater savings can be achieved through process changes and other measures. Contrary to general assumptions, water-efficient procurement would not increase capital costs.Water audits carried out as part of a wider wateruse strategy should be one of the first steps an organisation should take in its climate change adaptation plans – and many key sectors of the economy will be required in the next few years to report to government on their adaptation plans, as a result of the Climate Change Act (2008).
There are also energy efficiency and water efficiency incentives and targets on water and energy companies which can be worked within creatively to make largescale water efficiency schemes, including with nondomestic users, cost-effective.
Finally, UK plans to deliver the low-carbon economy need to include water. Developing the UK manufacturing base for water efficient products should be an essential part of the government’s Low Carbon Industrial Strategy but to date has not featured heavily in it, nor within the government’s carbon budgeting. Joint retrofitting programmes (the government’s energy scheme will take twenty years, and Waterwise would like water attached to it) will also provide green jobs: these should be included and calculated in government figures and statistics.
Where can businesses get help on water efficiency?
Waterwise
Waterwise is the leading authority on water efficiency in the UK. There is a dedicated web-based portal on the Waterwise website (www.waterwise.org.uk) for businesses to get tips on how to save water. Also available from Waterwise are the Waterwise Marque winning products (of which 59 are awarded so far) for all areas of the home and business. These products have been independently judged and awarded the Marque for being water efficient, of good design and performance and widely available on the UK market.
Envirowise
Envirowise offers free, independent support to businesses, helping them to become more resource efficient and save money. Since 1994, Envirowise has helped UK industry save more than £1billion by reducing waste early on in their business processes. Envirowise supplies businesses with online support in water minimisation and water efficiency. Envirowise also provide a number of tools that can be used by the business to help them better understand their water use and steps towards becoming more water efficient.
Water Technology List (WTL)
The WTL developed and managed by Defra and HM
Revenue and Customs, in partnership with Envirowise, is a scheme whereby companies investing in waterefficient products and technologies can claim 100 percent first year capital allowances. If a business purchases a product that has been classed as water efficient of water saving and is featured on the WTL,they are able to write off the whole cost of investment against their taxable profits of the period during which they make their investment.The WTL is a web-based list which details products that have met the eligibility criteria.
Water companies
Water companies in the UK offer non-domestic customers self-audit packs, water audits and efficiency surveys and leakage detection. Newsletters, web-based information and water-efficient information packs are available from some water companies. Businesses should get in touch with their local water company to see what advice and help they can offer them.
Carbon Trust zero percent Business Loans
Companies who are looking to invest in products that save both water and energy may be eligible for a 0% business loan from the Carbon Trust. If the company meets the requirements set out by the Carbon Trust, it must then demonstrate that the installation of said equipment will provide enough of an energy cost saving to pay back the loan within five years.
WRAP
WRAP works across the UK to help businesses and individuals reap the benefits of reducing waste, develop sustainable products and use resources in an efficient way. WRAP works closely with the agriculture and landscaping, construction, recycling and retail supply chain sectors to help them achieve the benefits of resource efficiency and share best practice, and WRAP’s website has dedicated areas of advice for these sectors.
Business Link
Business Link helps businesses save time and money by giving them instant access to clear and simple information. It is developed in partnership with subject experts within government and relevant businesssupport organisations to help businesses comply with regulations and improve performance.The Business Link website has a water efficiency portal offering businesses advice and tips on water efficiency as well as information about the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme.
Key steps businesses can take to help implement water efficiency
• Educate staff about implementing water efficiency measures. This could involve adding their role and responsibilities to a water policy
statement, such as reporting leaking taps straight away; training employees how to use water efficiently; and establishing a recognition and
reward programme for employees and teams who do an outstanding job.
• Set water usage targets for the business.
• Know where your supply pipes run and where the shut off valves are, this will give you greater control over your water supply. Also determine
where your waste water is going, investigate whether it is possible to recycle this in other areas of your business.
• Gain buy-in from management by involving staff with responsibility for facilities, finance and operations in water minimisation measures from
the outset.
• Appoint a member of staff to monitor water use and identify minimisation opportunities, for example through a regular walk-round survey of the business, and reading water meters. If a business has major water-using departments, it should also consider installing sub-meters to identify leaks and potential cost savings.
• Check water meters at night when no water is being used, this will help monitor leakage.
• Protect against cold weather-related leaks by insulating pipes against frost damage.
• Consider reusing process water and investigating alternative water sources, such as rainwater and grey water.
Waterwise is an independent not-forprofit UK NGO focused on decreasing water consumption in the UK by 2010 and building an evidence base for large-scale water efficiency.
Waterwise receives the majority of funding from the UK water industry and additional funding through sponsorship and consultancy work.
Waterwise is part of the Water Saving Group, a ministerial-led group which brings together key water industry stakeholders to promote the efficient use of water in households.Other members include Defra,DCLG, the Environment Agency,Ofwat, representatives of the water companies,Water UK, and the Consumer Council for Water. | 
