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Water is an essential component in most forms of energy
production, agriculture and many industrial processes
and is also important in sanitation, cleaning, catering
and heating, with only 3% of drinking water actually
used for drinking and cooking.
Demand for water has increased by 70% in the last 30
years with the UK water industry providing 18,000 million
litres of water every day (source: Water
UK).
Why Should My Organisation Make More Efficient Use of
Water?
The Environmental Case
Demands made by society (coupled with climatic changes)
have placed severe pressures on groundwater sources
and aquifers resulting in direct local and indirect
global environmental damage as well as water shortages
in times of drought
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· Construction of new reservoirs to meet
growing demands requires the flooding of land resulting
in habitat loss
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Increased water abstraction can lead to streams
and rivers drying up with associated impacts on
localised ecosystems
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On a global scale the energy used in pumping, treating
and heating water contributes towards global warming
The Financial Case
Water supply and disposal costs can account for a significant
proportion of your businesses overheads
A typical office using 900 m3 of
water/year with a 50mm water meter may have an annual
bill of £2,383.22 (Environment
Agency)
Implementing water conservation schemes will save your
organisation money through reductions in supply, treatment,
process, pumping (pumping costs are incurred on large
sites such as office blocks) and disposal costs and
associated savings resulting from reduced energy use.
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An undetected burst in a 50 mm pipe to
an office or site can lose up to 1600 litres
of water an hour costing about £19,200
a year in water and sewerage charges if
undetected. 220,000 litres would be lost
in 6 days requiring 120kwh of energy to
supply and 100kwh to treat as sewerage releasing
200 kg of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
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Demonstrate Environmental Responsibility
Implementing a water efficiency scheme will demonstrate
to potential customers, employees and the general public
that your organisation is environmentally responsible
as well as demonstrating compliance with environmental
management systems (EMS). (See notes on corporate
responsibility)
For more information regarding water issues select
one of the subject areas below
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need?
These sections are intended as a gateway to information
on Water use. If you cannot find the information you
require and feel that this site should cover it please
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us and we will endeavour to help you as well as
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