Businesses urged to ration water
The fuel crisis will pale in comparison to the impact that limited water supplies and resulting price hikes could have, says sustainable business experts Envirowise, which is calling on companies to take action now to reduce the millions of litres they waste daily.
Water is becoming an increasingly expensive resource with the average bill increase by UK water companies set at 18 per cent over five years. Envirowise is encouraging businesses to reduce their water consumption in order to help them futureproof against the operational and bottom line effect of rising costs.
Identified as one of the ‘Top Five Risks’to mankind this century alongside soaring food prices and dwindling energy reserves, water supplies are already being stretched with {pullquoter}businesses in the North West using over 1.4 billion cubic metres every year{/pullquoter} - almost enough to fill just over 380,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
New research from Envirowise shows that the biggest business water users are those in the South East, followed by the North West and Wales, with manufacturers, retailers, hotels and restaurants all having a key part to play in reducing consumption.
To help companies save water it has launched a new free resource efficiency initiative.
The Rippleffect is focused on supporting businesses to improve water efficiency, and those taking part can expect to make cost savings as well as improve their environmental credentials.
Elaine Sharp, Programme Marketing Manager at Envirowise, a government funded programme that offers practical environmental advice for businesses, says: {pullquote}Water is still considered by many as a cheap and limitless resource. The reality is that we are using far too much of it and this is putting pressure on existing supplies.{/pullquote}
“While cost-savings may be a key driver for water conservation, companies that do so demonstrate to customers that they are adopting best environmental practice. This in itself offers a competitive advantage.”
Envirowise says it is possible for a business that has not considered its water use before to make savings of up to 30 per cent of its water and effluent bills, and these savings can increase to 50 per cent by investing in long-term water saving projects and water-efficient technology.
Businesses taking part in the Rippleffect will gain an understanding of how much water they use, learn about simple steps they can take to start saving water and money and be given help to measure the water and cost savings they have made.
