Collectively UK firms could be pocketing £10m a day!

Businesses currently use around 9.8 billion cubic metres of water each year – but nearly a third of it could be saved bringing around £10 million savings each day – or over £3.5 billion each year according to the Environment Agency. Not only would it boost profits, companies would also play their part in the fight against climate change by reducing their carbon footprint from the energy needed to treat water before supply.

By 2050 climate change could reduce the amount of water available by up to 15% across the country and with the population predicted to rise by 20 million people at the same time, the amount of water in England and Wales will be stretched even further. Water efficiency in businesses is also an important contributor to both cost and carbon savings for the UK as overall the supply and treatment of water is responsible for around 4 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.

The news comes as companies were recently recognised for their efforts to reduce water use. The overall winner, Lafarge Cement UK, has reduced its water use by 95% and is now saving £14,000 a year in associated electricity costs at one of its sites. The company’s Cauldon Cement Works in Waterhouses, Staffordshire was rewarded for reducing its water use by using an innovative water recycling system deployed in a Special Area of Conservation.

The Water Efficiency Awards is the leading scheme in England and Wales to recognise the achievements of business in promoting water efficiency. Each of the nine Water Efficiency Award winners demonstrated an innovative approach to saving water. Water is a precious resource, essential for life and vital to the economy. However there will not be enough water for people and the environment if changes are not made now.

Other winners included Save Water Save Money Ltd, whose campaign to promote water efficiency in schools is estimated to have saved over 14 million litres of water a year, and Berkeley Homes who undertook a study into water restrictions and its impact on selling homes.

Dr Paul Leinster, chief executive of the Environment Agency said: “Water resources are already under pressure because of the increasing numbers of people living in certain areas – in some parts of the country there is less available water per person than Spain or Morocco.

“As well as reducing the UK’s carbon footprint, reducing demand for water will help protect wetland habitats and wildlife, as well as helping to ensure that there is enough water for people and the environment in the face of climate change.

“At a tough time for business it was a pleasure to see such a high calibre of entries with so many organisations committed to improving their water efficiency. This year’s entries have demonstrated how water efficiency can offer both cost and carbon savings for businesses.”

For full details of the Water Efficiency Awards 2009 click on the link below.

Photos show: Lafarge’s Cauldon Cement Works in Staffordshire which won both the Water Save Award and the Chief Executive’s Award. Volunteers can be seen constructing a bird hide.

More information: www.water-efficiency-awards.org.uk