What is Envirowise?
Formerly Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme
Funded by DTI & DEFRA in association with Devolved Administrations
Free help for all businesses Promotes better environmental
practices that reduce business costs Cleaner technology Waste minimisation
Show that environmental improvements can actually SAVE MONEY
Reducing Water Use
Tracking Water Use to Cut Costs (GG152)
Cost Effective Water Saving Devices & Practices (GG67)
Saving Money Through Waste Minimisation: Reducing Water Use (GG26)
What Water Really Costs
1-2% of turnover Methodology: How to identify
areas where savings can be made?
Technology: What kit is available?
How Much Can We Save?
For sites that have not previously tried to save water, reductions of 20% in water and effluent bills are usually achievable at little or no cost. As much as 40%, or more, might be achievable if projects with paybacks of up to two years are included
Systematic Water Minimisation I
Involving all members of staff from senior management to plant operators;
developing a clear, easily understood plan;
determining the true costs of water consumption and wastewater generation;
Systematic Water Minimisation II
Identifying all water inputs and outputs; drawing up a water mass balance; allocating annual water consumption
between major users; brainstorming to generate water saving
ideas; implementing all feasible options; maintaining savings
Involving all members of staff
At the beginning of the project: site management the project team the team leader
However, all employees have a contribution to make and this should be encouraged.
Developing a clear, easily understood plan: I
Without an effective plan: not all the achievable savings are
identified; the exercise becomes a one-off ‘purge’; ongoing savings are not pursued; employees are not motivated to help; implementation of ideas is difficult; the programme loses momentum and
disappears
Developing a clear, easily understood plan: II
Scope:The plan should state whether:- The whole site is to be addressed or just
one part. Addressing the whole site hasAdvantages, but for a large site, one area
or department could be selected for a pilot study.
- Water only will be addressed or water and contaminants simultaneously.
Developing a clear, easily understood plan: III
Programme:A timetable covering all the planned
activities should be drawn up. The overall programme may last 12 months or more. Monthly milestones are therefore important.
True Costs Of Water I
Purchase price Disposal price Trade effluent charges Pumping costs Maintenance costs Capital costs Treatment costs Loss of valuable materials
True Costs of Water II
Avoiding potential bottlenecks Helping water company planning Environmental benefits Increased production without having to
upgrade the water supply system Reduced corrosion and improved
working conditions through the elimination of leaks
Allocate Flows to Areas
Equipment suppliers Design specifications Spot check measurements Estimations However, it is important to
determine total actual consumption and not rely on what is believed to be used.
Maintain Savings
Departmental competitions Suggestion schemes Appointment of ‘water wardens’ as the
primary contact in each area of the site.
Survey of Water Distribution Systems and Points of Use
Unidentified connections; Cross connections; Broken valves; Incorrectly set valves; Leaks
Survey of Effluent Discharges and Routes to Sewer
Clean water discharges direct to effluent;
Unauthorised discharges to effluent; Unnecessary surface water discharges
to effluent; Sources of potential failure of effluent
discharge consents.
Before Considering Devices
Agree Target for net savings Payback periods
Consider How are savings to be estimated? What impact will savings have on costs? How much can be spent? How can appropriate water saving devices
and practices be identified?
General Water Use
Monitoring Leakage identification and
elimination Overflow identification and
elimination Use of block valves instead of
preset control valves for isolation
General Water Use
Flood prevention Tamper prevention Plan temporary supplies Reduce undesirable heat loss or
gain
General Water Use
Re-use of wash water Scrapers/squeegees/brushes Cleaning in Place (CIP) technology Recycle after treatment
Water Saving Practices & Devices for Commercial Sites
Contents General Water Use Toilets Showers Gardening Laboratories Garages
Gardening
Sprays/jets Automatic supply shut-off Abandon grass watering Minimise evaporation Rainwater collection
Summary of Envirowise Assistance
Environment and Energy Helpline
0800 585794 Free advice Free Site visits for SMEs Free Publications Workshops & seminars