Sustainable business expert Envirowise has launched a new initiative to help chemical sector companies in England and Wales reduce the millions of litres they waste a year.
The Rippleffect initiative offers users a range of simple, low and no-costs options to improve efficiency and claims to offer businesses that have not considered its water use before from saving up a third of its water and effluent bills. These savings can increase to 50 per cent by investing in long-term water saving projects and technology.[1]
Research from Envirowise [2] suggests that the chemical sector in England and Wales wastes 604 million cubic metres a year. But could save up to 199 million cubic metres, worth an estimated £578,000 per day, could be saved, by using the Rippleffect
"There are many simple low and no-cost ways of improving water efficiency including fixing dripping taps and installing water-saving devices," said Clare Sweeney, water specialist at Envirowise, a government funded programme that offers practical environmental advice for businesses. "A tap dripping two drops a second across a year, for example, could waste nearly 10,000 litres of water."
"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."
Water is becoming an increasingly expensive resource with the average bill increase by UK water companies set at 18% over five years.[3]
The Rippleffect is open to businesses in England. The final deadline for joining the six-month initiative is 10 September 2008.
reference
1 Defra - ¢Euro ËœFuture Water¢ Government strategy for England
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/strategy)
The Envirowise Advice Line
2 Review of Water Use in Industry and Commerce: Envirowise
3 The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) - Future water and sewerage charges 2005-10: Final determinations