UK Water Efficiency Awards announced

UK businesses use 8,000 million litres of water a day and many can save 30% or more of their water costs by putting into practice simple water saving measures and entering for an award.
The Environment Agency is calling on water saving businesses and organisations to lead by example and show their customers how environmentally aware they are by entering the Water Efficiency Awards. Businesses use 8,000 million litres of water a day. Most businesses can save 30% or more of their water costs by putting into practice simple water saving measures such as installing dual flush toilets and using rainwater collected on roofs for vehicle washing and outside watering.

Now in their fifth year, the awards are open to those organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors that have made the most outstanding contribution to saving water and money.

Environment Agency director of water management, Dr David King, said the awards aimed to increase awareness about saving water, share good practice and demonstrate water efficiency initiatives as cost effective.

'As the south east of England faces possibly the worst drought in the last 100 years, we all have part to play in saving water - including businesses.

Now is the time for businesses to show customers how aware of the environment they are and save money at the same time,' Dr King said.

'Water efficient features in buildings such as dual flush toilets, smart technology in manufacturing and staff training in water efficiency can improve water management and reduce costs.

Our Water Efficiency Awards provide organisations with the opportunity to showcase the excellent work that is being done across the country in saving our water resources.' The Environment Agency Water Efficiency Awards run every two years and nominations are now open for 2007.

There are seven categories and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London.

Support for the Awards has already been confirmed from Defra, Envirowise, The Countryside Agency working towards Natural England, Water Services Regulatory Authority and the NFU.

Entries are invited for the Envirowise Industry and Business category from companies identifying good practice and demonstrating methodical approaches and clear communication throughout the organisation.

Water efficiency reduces costs for businesses and entering the awards can help raise a company's environmental reputation among its customers.

Last year's Envirowise Industry and Business category winner was the family-owned brewery George Gale and Co The company had become increasingly concerned at the high failure rate of smaller breweries within the industry and planned a whole range of water and energy-saving initiatives to help ensure its own survival.

As well as reducing water-used in the brewing process by 25%, the initiative also reduced chemical and energy use by 80%, leading to financial savings.

The brewery recouped the project costs within 15 months.

'Our use of water in all aspects of our lives has a direct impact on the rivers and wetlands of England and Wales.

We all need to do our bit to make the water we use go further for the long-term protection of the environment and our water supplies.

We cannot expect our environment to provide a constantly increasing supply of water,' said Dr King 'Businesses taking part in these awards can show customers how seriously they take the environment, by making responsible choices about one of our most precious natural resources.'