Envirowise issues final call to pull the plug on water wastage

Envirowise, a UK Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of UK business practice, is issuing a final call for businesses to sign up to The Rippleffect, a free resource efficiency initiative focused on helping companies to improve their water efficiency, reduce consumption and futureproof against the bottom line effect of rising costs.

The Rippleffect is open to businesses of any size in England. The final deadline for joining the six-month initiative is 10 September, 2008. With water bills expected to increase bills between 2010 and 2015 by up to 22%, those taking part can expect to make cost savings as well as improve their environmental credentials.

Envirowise says it is possible for a business that has not considered its water use before to make savings of up to 30% on its water and effluent bills, and this can increase to 50% by investing in long-term water saving projects and water-efficient technology.¹

Through implementing a number of simple low and no-cost measures, such as fixing dripping taps and installing water-saving devices, Envirowise estimates that businesses in England and Wales could be making annual savings of up to 3.2bn m³, worth around £9.4m per day.

"Water is still considered by many as a cheap and limitless resource. The reality is that costs are rising and we are using far too much of it, putting pressure on existing supplies," said Mary Leonard, a director at Envirowise. "While cost savings may be a key driver for water conservation, companies that do so demonstrate that they are adopting best environmental practice. This in itself offers a competitive advantage."