Businesses need to conserve water both on cost grounds and to reflect environmental concerns. This information is intended to give guidance on best practice in water management. By employing some relatively simple measures, business customers can reduce water and sewerage costs.

The Economic Case For Efficiency
The potential for major users to make substantial savings is such that a proper water management programme may have a significant impact on profitability.

• Minimising the waste of water used in production processes can mean increased operational efficiency; reduced production costs and reduced on site water treatment costs, as well as energy savings.
• As water is often the main constituent of most effluents, reduced water consumption means reduced effluent volumes and, in many cases, lower effluent treatment or disposal costs
• For major water users the savings in water and waste charges from recycling and reusing water may provide an attractive return on the investment in the equipment required.

The Ecological Case For Efficiency
Businesses have come to realise that sound environmental practice is good for business and almost every major firm has developed environmental policies that cover all aspects of its operation.
These policies recognise that:

• Water is a valuable, natural resource that should be conserved.
• Reducing demand for water can help to safeguard supplies in the future.
• Reduced demand for water can reduce the need for investment by water companies in new sources and ease the pressure on existing ones.
• Reduced demand and recycling of waste water will reduce the need for new investment by the sewage companies in waste disposal and treatment plant.

The Management Of Water Resources
As a natural product, water needs to be covered by a water management policy with a senior manager accountable for it. They should:

• Appoint someone to implement the policy - this role may be combined with others within the company.
• Set targets and monitor water supply, water use and waste water discharge.
• Review the policy and make recommendations for change.
• Implement recommendations for change.
• Monitor water and waste discharge bills to identify the cost implications and benefits of the policy.
• Inform, involve and encourage employees to support the water management policy.

Assessing The Position
In order to prepare the water management policy all forms of water consumption and waste generation within the organisation need to be assessed and evaluated to provide a record of current demand and current practices.

• This assessment should include water supply and waste disposal arrangements, pipework and storage systems and a demand profile throughout the week.
• Each type of water use should then be reviewed and potential savings identified. This will include recommending possible plant modifications or replacement and/or procedural changes, which will save water and/or reduce effluent.

Acting On The Assessment
Once the initial assessment has been made you should:

• Establish effective monitoring and reporting systems so that the water and waste generation within the organisation can be reassessed on a regular basis to ensure that the water management policy is effective.
• Set water consumption and effluent targets.
• Identify and rectify leaks.
• Prepare, cost and evaluate recommendations for plant replacement or modification and implement them in accordance with company policies.
• Prepare and evaluate recommendations for changes in procedures and practices and adopt as required.
• Explain the water management policies to employees and involve them in achieving the targets.
• Reappraise operations regularly.
• Investigate new developments in technology and plant, which may help to increase the efficiency of water use or effluent management.

Risk Assessment
Would an unscheduled interruption to your water supply cause serious problems to your business? If so:

• Do you have a plan to cope with an unexpected interruption to your supply?
• Is the plan available to all relevant employees at any time of the day?
• Do they know about it?
• Have you ever tested your contingency plan?
• Is Bristol Water aware of any critical need you may have?
• Have you ever considered on-site storage as a protection?

Practical Advice For Water Management

• Monitor for leakage and repair leaks quickly. Data logging can be employed to establish if leakage is occurring.
• Know the source and quality of your water supply.
• Ensure that your site pipework and plumbing complies with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. there is a statutory requirement for notification of proposed plumbing works.
• Check that the water quality is appropriate for its intended use. Our water meets UK and EU quality criteria for drinking water.
• Check the hardness of the water - softened water can reduce heating and maintenance costs. Our water is naturally hard.
• Examine the scope for recycling and re-using water on site, for example for washing plant, floors and vehicles.
• Consider whether recycled or other non-potable water can be used, with treatment if necessary, in particular processes, for example, for washing, pre-rinsing or cooling.
• Check that water destined for re-use is not contaminated so that it becomes corrosive or causes excessive build-up of scale.
• Use detergents that do not require extensive final rinsing.
• Install meters to monitor the amount of water supplied to various parts of the site.
• Discuss your needs with us to ensure you are on the most favourable tariff. We have a Major User Tariff Scheme.
• Evaluate the benefits of stored water on site as a protection against the interruption of supplies, for fire fighting or other emergencies (below).
• Inspect and clean storage containers regularly so that the stored water does not become unsuitable for its future use through contamination and water is not lost through leakage or evaporation.
• Inspect and maintain all water using plant regularly and all equipment used in the distribution, recycling or treatment of water or effluent.
• Check all pipework regularly, especially where water is carried at high temperatures under pressure or as steam.
• Make sure that pipework is properly insulated according to its environment.
• Optimise water flows by introducing reduced flows and timed flow taps where beneficial.
• Install water saving devices for employee washing and toilet facilities, including low volume flush cisterns, toilet cistern displacement devices, timed flow or waterless urinals, time devices for showers and sensor taps which turn on and off when hands are sensed.
• Fit hoses with automatic cut-off valves where possible.

Water Quality And Safety Notes

• The quality of stored water will deteriorate if it is not used. Ideally the system should be designed so that the water does not become stagnant.
• Reduced flow taps, such as spray taps on hot water supplies may result in the water being insufficiently hot to comply with HS(G70), the Health and Safety Guidelines on Legionella, which requires water to be delivered to the tap at or above 50°C within 30 seconds of opening the tap.
• Terminal fittings or communal showers in schools or public buildings and in other facilities used by the public, should be supplied with water through thermostatic mixing valves so that the temperature of the water discharged at the outlets does not exceed 43°C

Water Efficiency Check List

1. Is someone accountable for efficient water use?
2. Is water use monitored?
3. Are usage targets set?
4. Is the whole system regularly monitored for leaks?
5. Is water used in a manufacturing process?
6. Can the water be recycled or reused for other purposes?
7. Is water quality appropriate for use?
8. Can water for washing down or cleaning be reduced?
9. Can low-lather detergents be used to reduce rinsing?
10. Should water storage be introduced to protect against interruption of supplies?
11. Are storage containers, covered, checked and cleaned regularly?
12. Is stored water used regularly to prevent deterioration?
13. Is all pipework insulated according to its environment?
14. Have reduced flow and timed flow taps been installed where possible?
15. Are all lavatories fitted with low volume cisterns or cistern displacement devices?
16. Are all urinals of the timed flow or waterless type?
17. Do wash basins have sensor taps or automatic cut-off devices?
18. Do all showers have time controls?
19. Are all hoses fitted with automatic cut-off valves?
20. Have you checked that your system complies with water supply regulations?
21. Have you checked that you are on the most economical tariff according to your water use?
22. Have you reviewed your water usage to assess potential savings?
23. Do you check your bills regularly?
24. Are all your employees actively encouraged to use water wisely?