Business Advice Water saving tips

There are many ways that you can save water around your business, to compare water suppliers for business and the rates.

You may find the following tips helpful:

– Use a bowl in the sink when washing fruit, vegetables of dishes. You can then use the waste water to water your plants.
– Fill a jug of water and put it in the fridge for when you want a cool drink.
– Turn off the tap when you clean your teeth. A running tap uses up to nine litres of water a minute.
– Wait until you have a full load before using your washing machine or
your dishwasher. Some new washing machines use less than seven litres of water for each kilogramme of clothes, while modern dishwashers can us as little as 10 to 15 litres of water a cycle.
– If possible, take a shower instead of a bath. A five-minute shower uses about 40 litres of water. This is about half the volume of a standard bath.
– Use a water-saving device in your toilet cistern. Depending on the size of your cistern, you could save between one and three litres each time you flush the toilet.
– Using a watering can in the garden instead of a sprinkler or a hosepipe. Garden sprinklers and hosepipes left running
can use between 500 and 1,000 litres of water an hour.
– Think about fitting a water butt to collect rainwater off your roof. Water butts usually store about 200 litres of water. As well as being better for watering your plants, using rainwater in the garden reduces the amount of treated water you use.
– Check your property regularly for leaks on your internal plumbing.

If you have a water meter, all of these tips may help you to reduce your water and sewerage bills, as part of the need to compare water suppliers for business.

Even if you do not have a meter, using water wisely and cutting down on the amount of hot water you use will lower your gas and electricity bills. It will also reduce the amount of climate-changing greenhouse gases you release into the atmosphere.

Using less water will also help reduce the greenhouse gases that are released from collecting, treating and supplying clean water.

You can find more useful tips on how to save water on the Consumer Council for Water’s (CCWater) and Waterwise websites. The Bathroom Manufacturers Association has developed a voluntary labelling scheme to help consumers to make informed choices when purchasing water using products.

https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/households/conservingwater/

Help for you to save water

Water companies have had a duty to promote the efficient use of water by all their customers since February 1996.

As a minimum we expect all companies to provide information to customers about:

– the sensible use of water with business
– how to conduct a self-audit of business consumption
– the availability of cistern and other water saving devices
– the availability of supply pipe leakage detection/repair
– how to report a leak
– how to get further information

However, we expect companies in areas of water stress to do more than this minimum level.

Ofwat provides a good practice register sets out in more detail the water efficiency options that companies should consider when planning their water efficiency activities.

https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/households/conservingwater/

WATER EFFICIENCY INITIATIVES – GOOD PRACTICE REGISTER Water and Sewerage Companies (England and Wales) – 2007

Overview:

– This register provides a checklist of water efficiency options that
companies should consider when planning their water efficiency
activities.  

– Different activities are listed by type. For example activities
related to cistern displacement devices or collaborative research and
development are grouped under these headings.

– Activities are listed under two categories, “baseline” or “water
stressed”. Baseline activities are those that should to be considered
across England and Wales. Water stressed activities are those that
should be considered in areas of water stress, such as the south east of
England.

– The driver for carrying out each activity is listed. For example
customer awareness, demand reduction or developing the evidence base.

– Contact companies are given for each activity. These companies can be contacted for further information.

– The register is a live document and will be updated when new
information, techniques or experience becomes available. This will
formally be done annually to coincide with Ofwat’s ‘Security of supply’
report and involve Waterwise, Water UK and the water companies.

Guidelines for use:

– It is good business practice to compare water suppliers for businessat the same time as following guidelines

– This register is a checklist of water efficiency options, which
companies can choose to engage in if their specific situations are
suited. Some actions will not be appropriate or could prove to not work or be too costly in some areas.

– This register should not be used as a year-on-year action plan.
Some activities could be undertaken only once and not need to be
repeated whereas others may need to be undertaken at regular intervals.

– We do not expect all companies to carry out all actions under
either the baseline or water stressed categories. Nor are these
categories mutually exclusive. Companies should consider any activity
that they believe is appropriate for a particular area.

– Companies are not expected to undertake activities where they are
not cost-effective compared with the benefits that would be achieved.

– As general good practice, Ofwat believes that on any visit to a
customer’s property (either domestic or commercial) the opportunity
should be taken to pass on the water conservation message. This may be as simple as providing a leaflet on water saving tips, providing a pack of water saving devices, right up to providing a full water audit of the property. Where appropriate companies should also consider other possible synergies in delivering water efficiency messages during their day-to-day contact with customers.

– The contact companies are not intended to be an exhaustive list of
those companies that engage in a particular activity, but rather a point of contact for more information on the activity. The company(ies) underlined are the contacts for the activities in the ‘water stressed area’ column. Note that this does not necessarily mean the highlighted company’s area is ‘water stressed’.

https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/gud_pro_goodpractreg.pdf

Sustainable water is good for business

Businesses could save a huge amount of money when they compare water suppliers for business, but by making water a key part of their environmental strategy.
Using less water creates less wastewater, which in turn uses less energy and costs less money.

The issue of water has traditionally never been high on the agenda of most businesses and in recent years it has lagged behind carbon strategies, energy targets and corporate social responsibility reports.

But as water becomes an increasingly precious resource, a huge opportunity exists for companies to save money by putting water management at the centre of their environmental strategy. Businesses can also learn important lessons from the challenges that energy has faced over recent years in terms of reducing use and waste; by using water more sustainably, they can operate more efficiently and effectively.

It’s estimated that every cubic metre of water supplied, made safe to use and then taken away from our businesses as waste equates to 1kg of carbon. By better understanding the energy implications of heating or chilling water as part of the manufacturing process, businesses can cut their energy costs and reduce their carbon emissions, too.

But if a business wants to change its water management strategy, where should it start?

Several of the major water companies are offering support to small and medium enterprise (SME) business customers in the form of Rippleffect, a new water saving service developed in partnership with resource efficiency experts WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme, a not-for-profit, government-funded company that supports businesses, local authorities, communities and individuals to “reap the benefits of reducing waste and using resources in a more efficient way”).

Rippleffect has been designed to give practical advice to SMEs to help them better understand their water footprint – the volume of water needed to provide goods and services. The programme demonstrates simple ways to save water and money, and learn about “quick win” water saving devices. By showing businesses the true costs of water, says WRAP, they can save as much as 30% on their water bills.

Brewer Greene King is no stranger to environmental improvement. It was the first pub operator and brewer to achieve the Carbon Trust Standard, which recognised Greene King’s energy savings efforts, and it has since tackled water consumption with the same vigor.

Teaming up with Anglian Water Business, Greene King
reviewed water use at 90 sites and soon discovered that simply by
changing water tariff, it could make savings of more than £12,500 a year It also installed smart meters, which helped to save a further £11,000 a year. Ralph Wright, Greene King’s energy buyer, explains: “Our water loggers have helped us pinpoint high water consumption outside of trading hours, which is usually a sign that a piece of equipment is faulty and leaking.

“We spend about £3m a year on water, and waste around 10% of that through bad usage or leaks, and that’s what we want to reduce.

“But it’s not a one-off job – you’ve got to keep monitoring because if you don’t know what’s happening, you don’t really know where to concentrate your efforts,” Wright says. “Monitoring is the key to all of it.”

Clearly long-term behavioural changes, supported by developing technology and a focus on innovation, will help companies use water more sustainably in the future.

But drawing on the lessons learnt from the drive for energy efficiency, there’s a similar need to act quickly.

Peak Consultants work closely with the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC), based at the University of Lancaster.

LEC’s director, Mike Matthews, explains that while water companies may have long-term strategies to move water from areas with an abundance to areas where it’s scarce, the time and expense involved makes this a costly option and not one that meets the immediate need for water efficiencies.

“We have to start looking for solutions now,” he says. “There is no point
waiting 20 or more years for a new reservoir or a larger sewer. Instead
the need to conserve and recycle what we already have should be the
primary focus.”

In England and Wales, more than 10bn litres of sewage are produced every day. To treat this amount of effluent requires more than 2,800 GWh of energy, equating to 1.7m tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

Using less water would create less wastewater, says Matthews, which in turn uses less energy and costs less money. It’s an equation companies like because for many, the primary motivator
around water conservation remains a financial one.

“Yes, businesses might care about the environment but, more often than not, it’s about the bottom line,” he says. “We can offer solutions that are both sustainable and financially sound, such as exploring the use of groundwater and boreholes rather than mains water, or looking at alternative methods of drainage.”

In recent years, terms such as energy efficiency and carbon emissions have become part of everyday language and it’s surely only a matter of time before water footprints and sustainable water management join them.

This content is brought to you by Guardian Sustainable Business in
association with Anglian Water. Produced by Guardian Business and
Professional to a brief agreed with Anglian Water. Paid for by Anglian
Water. All editorial controlled and overseen by the Guardian.

Rebecca Nicholl for the Guardian Professional Network – Wed 6 Jun 2012 18.08 BST

https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/sustainable-water-good-business-strategy

Average water rates for small business
What are the average water rates for small business?

Businesses could save a huge amount of money to compare water suppliers for business, but by taking on board water saving advice from the water services experts to help your company understand the average water rates for small business, save on small business water rates and maximise water saving measures.

Saving water doesn’t always rise to the top of businesses’ priority lists, especially in places such as the UK where water shortages aren’t an everyday concern. However, environmental scientists predict that worldwide fresh water shortages will be one of the world’s most pressing environmental concerns in the next 50 years.

Every organisation uses water in different ways. By knowing how your business uses water and where it’s used, you can start identifying opportunities for efficient water use. This guide can help you identify potential water savings, freeing up funds that you can then put towards achieving your actual business goals.

Did you know? The average water rates are higher in the North West of England.

Switch Water Supplier and Save
The open water market means you can now switch supplier and get a better deal on your business water.

6 Reasons to Save on Small Business Water Rates
Here’s why you should try to reduce the average water rates for small business:

– Secure our Water Supplies
Water resources are becoming scarcer, which means that it’s becoming more expensive to build new infrastructure to augment existing water supply. Saving water reduces the pressure on creating new infrastructure. It also means that our water supply is more resilient to climate change.

– Save on Business Water Rates
First, foremost, and most obviously, saving water means that you save on your business water rates.

– Protect the Environment
Efficient water use minimises the amount of water taken from aquifers and rivers due to a rise in demand. Reducing our dependence on these water sources protects the resources themselves as well as the wildlife that inhabit them.

– Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Processing, purifying and heating water is an energy-intensive process, and operational emissions from the water industry account for almost 1% of the UK’s total emissions.

– Generate Positive PR
Showing the public that your company cares about saving water enhances its reputation. Your water saving measures can be used as public relations material.

– Comply with Environmental Legislation
Businesses that invest in technologies and strategies that encourage sustainable water use may be eligible for tax savings. The Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) water scheme incentivises businesses to invest in technologies that improve water quality and save water by letting qualifying companies claim back 100% first-year allowances on investments in certain technologies and products.

– Simple Ways to Reduce Small Business Water Rates
The best business water reductions come from implementing an array of measures consistently across the business. A broker can work with you to advise on and implement both quick wins and long-term gains to make your organisation’s water strategy more efficient and cost-effective.

Here’s how you can reduce the average water rates for small business:

– Shop around and save on small business water rates
The floodgates opened in 2017 when the water market was deregulated, offering businesses a choice of water suppliers and allowing them to benefit from increased competitiveness and elect the water supplier that best suits their needs. It also means that businesses are able to consolidate their bills, with one supplier to administer all of their sites.

How much do you stand to save?
Your business stands to make notable savings in an increasingly competitive market. By shopping the market and comparing small business water rates, your business can save up to 20% on your small business water rates, money which can then be allocated to other important areas.

The Savings Stats
Small businesses will benefit from a savings windfall of £200 million!
Over 36 000 businesses have switched water suppliers since the non-household market deregulation in April. More than half of these are low water users – most likely SMEs.
Our research shows that the current standard rates from the most expensive provider to the cheapest supplier is different by 57%.

What stops businesses from switching?

It’s too much effort – There is some legwork involved in shopping and switching, but the cost-saving benefit is usually worth the effort.
I won’t save much money – The amount of money your business stands to save depends on your water usage habits and your current deal. However, it’s likely that if you haven’t switched for a while, the savings could be significant.

I’m loyal to my supplier – When it comes to small business water rates savings, businesses need to be proactive to find the best deal. It’s worthwhile to compare quotes from other suppliers and/or negotiating with your existing supplier for a new deal that better suits your needs.

Reduce Water Consumption
Our experts offer some water saving tips to help your business save on your water consumption and small business water rates as a result.

Save on business water rates – average water rates
Easy water-saving measures
Educate and inform your employees on the importance and practices of water efficiency and remind them to save water at every opportunity. They may also have some ideas of their own.

Monitor leakage by checking your water meters at night or when water is not being used.
Make sure that relevant personnel know where your supply pipes run and where the shut-off valves are located. Should a pipe suddenly burst, someone will then be able to shut off the mains quickly to avoid water wastage.
Insulate your pipes to reduce the risk of water freezing and pipes bursting.

Check your monthly water bills and record your consumption so that you’re aware of any spikes in your tariffs and can identify the cause of them.
Use a smart water meter for efficient water consumption data and analysis. You can use this to set targets for water efficiency.
Conduct regular checks for drips, leaks and other water wastage and encourage your employees to do the same.
Check for water leaks
CCWater reported that 3.1 billion litres of water were lost in Wales and England every day in 2016/7 – an increase of 1%. The organisation has warned suppliers to curb leakage levels in light of the published figures.

Leading suppliers have responded positing their commitment to leakage performance in meeting targets. CCWater has reported that only four companies missed their targets this year, raising the concern that targets aren’t “challenging enough”. As pointed out by Tony Smith, chief executive of CCWater, suppliers’ failures to address leakage issues can have a negative effect on consumer attitudes to water saving.

Leakage figures have been reduced by a third since the mid-1990s and Ofwat has proposed suppliers work towards a 15% leak reduction between 2020 and 2025. Continued pressure by these organisations means consumers will benefit from the associated effect improvements will have on their water bills.

Viewed within a broader context, the wastefulness of the leaks highlights the role of all members of the supply chain in reducing leakage and saving water, which will have both financial and environmental benefits.

Longer-term water-saving investments
Major cost savings can be gained through the installation of simple devices that may require higher upfront costs but result in water and cost-savings in the long run.

Purchase water-efficient equipment
Urinal controls or waterless urinals
Efficient flush toilets
Automatic or sensor taps
Water-efficient taps and showers (these will save on both water and energy by minimising the use of heated water)
A rainwater harvesting device
Water recycling infrastructure that will allow you to use greywater or rainwater
Use a sensored irrigation system to better control exterior water use
Fit your showers and faucets with low-flow restrictors