Chemicals manufacturers could be missing out on combined cost savings of as much as £643,000 every day by failing to maximise the potential of water efficiency, says UK sustainable business expert Envirowise.
In a recent survey of UK businesses, almost two thirds of respondents said they did not measure or monitor their water use, and 85% did not have any water reduction targets in place. In addition, 61% did not know how much their business spent on water each year.
However, businesses in the chemicals sector could reduce their water bills by as much as a third if they were to take steps to manage their water use more effectively, says Claire Sweeney, Envirowise Water Specialist.
"With more than 600 million m3 of water being used by chemicals manufacturers every year, there is significant potential for businesses to save money and reduce their environmental impact by taking action on water efficiency," she says. "That is why we are encouraging companies to join Rippleffect, a national initiative offering online advice and support to cut water waste and costs."
Businesses signing up to Rippleffect before 14 September will receive free support from Envirowise better to understand their water use, identify simple water saving steps and then measure the cost savings they have made.
"The Rippleffect programme is delivered in three online modules over a six-month period, helping businesses to monitor their water use and set targets for improvement," adds Sweeney.
More than 500 UK businesses registered for the Rippleffect in 2008. New features for 2009 include water efficiency advice in areas such as rainwater harvesting, vehicle washing and boiler and cooling tower operation.