Six steps to stem water waste

Envirowise is advising food and drink companies to take six key steps to prevent unnecessary water waste at work, ahead of possible water shortages this summer.
England and Wales suffered the driest January for almost a decade and six water companies are already operating hosepipe bans across the UK. But if firms act now, says Envirowise, improved water efficiency could help lessen the impact of reduced rainfall and potential drought measures, while also reducing rising utility costs.
Envirowise recommends the following six steps to help stem water waste:
⣢ Turn taps off fully and replace leaking hoses and worn tap washers for a quick and cheap way of saving water. In staff washrooms, push-
button taps can use up to half the water used through conventional taps.
⣢ Take meter readings regularly and carefully – this will help identify changes in water use.
⣢ Reduce your need for mains supply water by looking at ways to recycle ‘grey water’ for cleaning equipment, vehicles or outside areas, for example.
⣢ Reduce the amount of clean water used in every toilet flush by fitting a water displacement device into cisterns – often available free of charge from local water
companies.
⣢ Run a staff competition to identify water-saving ideas. Consider appointing ‘water wardens’ to take responsibility for water minimisation measures in each area of the site.
⣢ Contact Envirowise on 0800 585 794 or contact your water services provider – they can both supply you with a wide range of free water saving advice. Envirowise programme director, Dr Martin Gibson, says:“Envirowise experience has shown that food and drink businesses can expect to make an immediate saving of around 30% on water and effluent bills through simple water management techniques. This is a significant potential saving for our industry.