The sustainability agenda has rightly moved up corporate priority lists in recent years. While many put understandable focus on carbon emissions and net zero, another facet can all too often be ignored – that of water waste.
According to Severn Trent, on average every day we use about 150 litres of water, but shockingly, a third of this is wasted. Further research even reveals that every single day, more than three billion litres of perfectly good drinking water is wasted in the UK, and according to Inspired Energy, three billion litres of water is lost to leaks every day in England and Wales – equivalent to 1,180 Olympic swimming pools.
Over the summer, our water supply was put under the spotlight as hosepipe bans were introduced across the country when the hot weather led to droughts. Despite rain now falling over many parts of the UK, hosepipe bans are still in place in four regions due to low water levels in rivers and reservoirs. Additionally, with the Met Office predicting that hot summers are likely to occur more frequently, we must be prepared for more frequent bans on water usage.
Businesses, – alongside consumers – must play a key role in saving water where possible, in order to make a positive contribution to the environment, protect their bottom line, and help in the collective effort to secure water supplies.
The environmental benefits
Water is a precious resource that cannot be taken for granted. As a a result of climate change, and the more extreme weather conditions that are occurring, water supply is becoming more unpredictable.
Reducing water wastage can help to reduce the energy required to process, heat and deliver clean water to businesses, homes and communities. This also helps to reduce pollution and conserve fuel resources, so if businesses can limit water wastage, they can play a key role in helping the environment.
Saving water, saving money
Despite measures introduced by the Treasury to alleviate the pressure, rising costs are hitting businesses across the UK. In particular, the hospitality sector has voiced concerns as inflation soars, with many businesses reluctant to pass costs to consumers who are facing a cost of living crisis.
So how can businesses actively look to save money by saving water?
Practical steps to take
Companies of all sizes should look to have a water conservation strategy in place to help keep their water footprint in check. Having a robust strategy can help prevent unnecessary costs being incurred from unidentified leaks. Additionally, a strategy can also ensure businesses meet the Water Supply Regulations 1999, which is designed to stop the waste, misuse, undue consumption, and contamination of water.
If water usage is included in financial planning and utility strategies, organisations can ensure that they are acting in a socially and fiscally responsible way. By keeping a close eye on usage levels and paying more attention to potentially adopting forward thinking technology designed to help reduce waste in the long run.
Water-efficient technologies
If businesses are looking for ways to reduce water consumption and to develop a conservation strategy, taking water saving technologies into consideration is a key first step.
For example, urinals can become a source of expensive water wastage without proper cleaning and flush control. Urinal water saving devices are an environmentally-friendly solution that help to maintain a clean and hygienic washroom, whilst also saving water. Using infrared sensor technology to detect washroom usage, they provide an efficient, economical urinal flush control to help businesses meet regulatory requirements.
An additional solution is to install a Hippo the Water Saver – a simple, proven and low cost water saving device to help conserve water in toilet cisterns and reduce the amount of water that is flushed away. There are Hippos available for both the home and the workplace, and for those on a metered supply, it can mean a significant and sustained saving on water and water bills.
Outside of the washroom, organisations could look to install solutions such as timers and controls to automate water usage for example; moisture sensors in outdoor areas that can switch off sprinklers when not needed; and water heat insulation.
Educating staff and customers
In recent years, many hotels have worked to educate their customers on the impact re-using towels can have on lower water and energy consumption. Other industries could also follow this lead, by informing employees and customers alike of how they can help to reduce water consumption through actions like switching off taps and making use of reusable water bottles. Communicating proactive steps to stakeholders has more than an impact upon a businesses’ reputation – it can inspire audiences to take water saving steps in their own lives and contribute to the wider environment.
Final Thoughts
With parts of the UK already under water stress, and with water demand set to rise further, water efficiency is increasingly important. The need for businesses to ensure that they are efficiently using water resources is therefore key, and water-efficient technologies can play an important role in helping organisations of all sizes and in all industries minimise wastage.
If you would like to discuss installing water saving devices, please get in touch with one of our experts.