New tool could help businesses in the East cut their water consumption

Reports are predicting that water is set to become an increasingly scarce and expensive resource¹ but this is has not stopped UK businesses using enough of it every year to fill 2.6 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.²  Now sustainable business experts Envirowise are warning companies that they could be pouring money down the drain.

Businesses could save thousands of pounds every year by adopting simple, low cost initiatives to reduce water consumption from Envirowise.

To help businesses introduce water saving measures Envirowise has launched a new step-by-step online tool that helps companies identify where and how water is used and treated, the costs involved and practical ways to reduce and re-use it. The tool also helps organisations keep control of costs and future proof against rises and supply shortages.

In 2008 Envirowise ran Rippleffect, a free initiative designed to help businesses tackle water use. The scheme attracted around 500 businesses, it is hoped that many more will benefit from water savings by using the new tool.

“Whilst many of us consider water to be a cheap and endless resource, the reality is that we are using and wasting far too much, and this is placing extra pressure on existing supplies as well as impacting on the bottom line” said Simon Best, East of England regional manager for Envirowise.

“It is crucial that people are aware of the serious and complex issues around water supply and use and we hope the new Water Efficiency Tool from Envirowise will help businesses address these challenges in the most effective way.”

To use the Water Efficiency Tool visit www.envirowise.gov.uk/water

Envirowise offers a range of support, guides and factsheets for businesses interested in becoming more water efficient. For more information visit the Envirowise website: www.envirowise.gov.uk or call the Advice Line on 0800 585 794.

Sources

¹ UN calculations, The Times, 22nd January 2009
² Review of Water Use in Industry and Commerce: Envirowise N.B. statistics referenced exclude utilities, agriculture, fish farming, Mfr of coke & petroleum products

From: http://www.envirowise.gov.uk

Fly-tipper gets record jail time

A Hertfordshire man who illegally dumped 85 tonnes of waste was given a record-breaking sentence for fly tipping.

Harvey Gibson received a 32-month jail term for "illegally depositing and disposing of controlled waste in contravention of a Waste Management Licence" and of managing a company while he was disqualified.

The Environment Agency (EA) brought the case against the "professional polluter" who dumped the waste in a field west of Reading.

He was also ordered to pay £20,000 in costs at Reading Crown Court.

Between 2004 and 2006 Mr Gibson dumped waste in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, the court heard.

He buried or burned waste including batteries, solvents and plastic in a pit used to supply a public water supply and was caught after an undercover EA investigation.

According to Get Reading Jenny Thomas, an EA technical specialist, said: "Once a contaminant has entered the groundwater, the consequences for the communities’ water supplies and local river flora and fauna can be extremely serious."

The EA also said that prior to the sentencing on Friday, the longest jail term handed down for a similar offence was 22 months in prison.

Three Valleys water fined for unfit water supply

Three Valleys water company pleaded guilty to supplying untreated water to residents of Colney Heath.

The water firm was found guilty of providing water which was "unfit for human consumption" by the St Albans Magistrates’ Court.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate prosecuted the company after residents complained about the taste and colour of water coming out of their taps.

Three Valleys was found to have supplied three homes through a pipe which had been carrying untreated water. One of those homes was not occupied during the period when the water with unacceptable levels of bacteria was supplied.

While the firm was found guilty, district councillor Chris Brazier expressed his outrage that it only faced a fine of £12,000.

He said: "Three Valleys should have been fined something like £500,000 - that would give it the real kick in the backside it deserves."

Earlier this year, the firm was criticised for leaving it two weeks to fix a leaking fire hydrant.

£2m to stop water wastage

A water supplier to Hertfordshire, Essex and Bedfordshire among others, is set to carry out repair works on its infrastructure to minimise waste.

Three Valleys Water, which provides 3.2 million people with a total 900 million litres of water a day, is investing £2 million in upgrading the mains network in Stevenage.

According to a spokesman for the company, the pipes, which are made of cast iron are reaching the end of their life cycle, with corrosion starting to affect their structural integrity.

These weaknesses have been manifest in repeated burst mains, with 70 reported between 1999 and 2004.

Andy Smith, managing director of Three Valleys Water, said: "This water mains renewal scheme in Shephall is part of a much larger investment programme to maintain and renew our underground pipe network to provide a reliable water supply to our customers.

"Without this investment the mains would continue to deteriorate, causing bursts, leaks and disruption to the local community. We are working closely with Hertfordshire Highways to try to keep traffic disruption to a minimum.

Water management firm launches £115m project

The water management firm which provides water to much of the East of England has launched a £115 million project to secure more water to meet the region’s demand.

Anglia Water has teamed up with Mott MacDonald construction company to build the Wing Water project at Rutland Water, which is the company’s largest reservoir.

The project involves engineering and environmental works and is set to allow the water company to extract a further 90 million extra litres a day.

Set to be completed in 2010, Mott MacDonald is set to contribute to the environmental management as well as feasibility study and design.

New construction will feature an extra 41 kilometres of pipeline, extension of water treatment works at Wing and 84 hectares of lagoons and wetlands to protect wildlife diversity.

Sir David Attenborough was at the launch event to endorse the project’s commitment to local environment. The wetlands will have their water levels kept constant even as reservoir levels fluctuate with the aid of an independent water supply.

Hydrogen power firm fast tracks clean cars

A cleantech company and an automotive firm in the East of England have joined forces in a bid to bring cleaner and "greener" vehicles to the UK’s roads.

ITM Power, which specialises in hydrogen energy has teamed up with Roush Technologies to adapt existing vehicles and research new power units.

"This is a significant co-operative agreement between two companies who are committed to bringing practical hydrogen power into the automotive market place within a dramatically reduced timeframe," ITM’s CEO, Jim Heathcote told Business Weekly.

Ensuring that hydrogen powered cars can become a reality also relies on making hydrogen easily available for drivers, as well as developing engines that run on the fuel.

ITM has developed an electrolyser that produces hydrogen using a water supply and any source of electricity, meaning it would be easy to set up a network of them.

Roush’s executive chairman, Andrew Williams said: "Bringing emission-free energy technologies forward and to market requires an integrated approach.

"This involves the production and supply chain for the fuel

Water management company to upgrade mains

A water company that serves Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex, is to carry out work to replace its 70-year-old mains.

Three Valleys Water, part of water and wastewater management company Veolia Water, is to replace mains that are at risk of leaking in an area of Watton at Stone.

The work, which will take approximately five weeks, is part of an investment of £250,000 to upgrade cast iron mains which have been corroded and weakened in parts, making them susceptible to leaks.

Andy Smith, managing director of Three Valleys Water, said: "This water mains renewal scheme in Watton at Stone is part of a much larger investment programme to maintain and renew our underground pipe network to provide a reliable water supply to our customers.

"Without this investment the mains would continue to deteriorate, causing bursts, leaks and disruption to the local community."

Earlier this month residents in Elstree were surprised when water was disconnected a day before they had been told it would be, while Three Valleys carried out more repairs to mains.