Businesses of all different types use water, whether it is simply within toilet facilities or as part of manufacturing processes. Water saving for business is therefore an area which should be of interest to all companies and organizations. Water bills over a year can cost a large amount of money, with bills within manufacturing organizations sometimes accounting for over 1% of the business turnover. Water saving for business can therefore save significant amounts of money as well as help the environment by reducing consumption of this valuable resource.
In order to assess where water savings can be made, it is worthwhile conducting a water usage audit to establish where water is used within the company. Once this has been achieved a water saving for business plan can be implemented, often at little or no cost to the business but with guaranteed savings. Some of the tips on our Saving Water at Home and in the Garden page are actually also relevant in a business environment, for example the use of Hippo or similar devices within toilets and ensuring that all dripping taps are repaired. Depending on the type and size of organization, extensive rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems may also be cost effective.
Enhanced Capital Allowances are also available for certain water efficient products, with more information available at the Water Technology List website.
For more information and suggestions on water saving for business, visit the Environment Agency website and the Envirowise website which offers free water saving for business advice.