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How can you save money and cut costs?
Water efficiency for business customers
Printed on 100% recycled paper Effective August 2009
Peninsula House, Rydon Lane, Exeter EX2 7HR Registered in England No. 2366665
southwestwater.co.uk/waterefficiency
90540 8/09
southwestwater.co.uk
How can we help you?
Taking pride in your efficiency
This leaflet is designed as your self-help guide to running a water efficient business. By running your own audit and taking a few simple steps outlined on pages 4 to 10, you should first better understand your water use and then be able to take action to cut it and the costs you face as a business.
In 2008, South West Water introduced the Water Efficiency Certification scheme as part of a unique and prize-winning portfolio of services for its business customers.
South West Water’s Water Conservation Team is also ready to help you if your feel your business is too big or complex to take the first steps on your own. We will be happy to arrange a free visit by one of our Water Efficiency Advisors to your premises.
Water Efficiency Calculator
The certification scheme has been designed to give tangible recognition to those businesses that have demonstrated that they operate in a water efficient manner. Since its launch more and more businesses are enrolling in the scheme, from the small family run bed and breakfast to large multi-national manufacturers, and are now busy working their way towards a certificate. The scheme is free to enrol so call the Water Conservation helpline on 0800 378937 and ask for an information pack.
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To help you to monitor your water use across the business year, South West Water now offers an award-winning range of free online business tools including our Water Efficiency Calculator. The calculator is a free analytic tool which links your water use in litres as measured by your meter with any production unit you choose such as ‘bed nights’ if you run a hotel or ‘tonnes of product’ produced if you are a manufacturer or farmer for example. By doing this, you can trace how your business decisions are affecting your water use and how efficient you are.
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southwestwater.co.uk
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Water efficiency check list
Water efficiency check list
Are you ready to begin your own water audit? This will help you to understand your water use and decide on ways to improve your efficiency.
2. Using the meter to check for internal plumbing leaks
Work your way through each of the Efficiency checks from page 4 to page 10 putting a tick in the column “Done” once you have made each check. Make a note in the “Action/comments” column of improvements and actions you identify. We have left the back page blank in case you need more space. 1.
Checking for underground pipe leaks
Efficiency check
Done Advice
i) Locate your meter(s) and internal stop tap(s).
The meter is usually located in the footpath.
ii) Close the internal stop tap(s). Check all branch supplies are ‘shut’.
The stop tap is normally positioned where the service pipe enters the building.
iii) Is the meter now stationary?
If YES, then no leakage is apparent in the pipework between the meter and the stoptap. Go to Section 2.
Action/ comments
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Done Advice
i) Open the internal stop tap during a period of no water use and re-check meter.
If there is more than one stop tap and/or branch supplies re-check the meter after opening each one in turn.
ii) Is the meter stationary?
If YES, then no internal leakage is apparent on that supply. If NO, check internal pipe joints, appliances/ fittings for leaks.
Action/ comments
3. Meter readings/account records Efficiency check
If NO, you may have a leak on your supply pipe. Arrange for your plumber to investigate and repair as a matter of urgency. Take a meter reading once the leak has been repaired as this will help in calculating any lost water in case you are eligible for an allowance. Go to Step 1 on Page 11. iv) Have you considered automatic leak detection?
Efficiency check
Call the Water Conservation helpline for more information on 0800 378937.
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Done Advice
i) Do you read your meter regularly?
Regular meter readings can quickly show rising consumption that can indicate a leak. We recommend that you read your meter at least once each month.
ii) Do you compare your water account with previous periods to check for abnormal consumption?
A higher consumption may indicate a leak. Check that your business can explain the increase – use our free Water Efficiency Calculator to monitor unit consumption. Ring 0800 378937 for more information.
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Action/ comments
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Water efficiency check list
Water efficiency check list
3. Meter readings/account records (continued)
5. Assessing plumbing applications for water efficiency
Efficiency check
Done Advice
iii) Have you considered logging your supply?
Data-loggers are capable of keeping a record of flow at short time intervals. By plotting a graph of these consumptions your pattern of water usage can be easily displayed. Call the Water Conservation helpline on 0800 378937 for more information.
iv) Are you aware of our Business Accounts Online FREE service?
Ask for a leaflet Call the Water Conservation helpline on 0800 378937.
Action/ comments
Efficiency check i) Have you fitted water efficient controls to urinals?
You can consider fitting automatic flushing control or move to waterless urinals – or a combination of the two can sometimes be appropriate. Call the Water Conservation helpline on 0800 378937 for more information.
ii) Are all WC cisterns operating efficiently? Have you checked them recently?
Check the level in the cistern is correctly adjusted. Try fitting water displacement devices in the cistern, e.g. Hippo bag to reduce the flush volume. We will supply these in smaller numbers free of charge or larger orders at cost. Call the Water Conservation helpline on 0800 378937 for more information.
4. Process water Efficiency check i) Do you recycle water?
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Done Advice
Action/ comments
Could some process water be recycled for other uses, e.g. irrigation or cleaning? This may also lead to a reduction in your sewerage charges. If water is used for cooling purposes, and this runs to waste, consider fitting a heat exchanger.
Done Advice
Action/ comments
If you have dual flush toilets, are there signs to advise on correct use?
TOP TIP #1: Valve type cisterns (push button operated) or internal overflows? Watch out for water running slowly down back of pan indicating a leak. Encourage staff to report and arrange prompt repair.
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Water efficiency check list
Water efficiency check list
5. Assessing plumbing applications for water efficiency (continued)
6. Internal pipework
Efficiency check iii) Are all your taps drip free?
Done Advice
Action/ comments
Dripping taps waste large volumes of the water you pay for. Renew washers immediately the drip is noticed as it only gets worse, wasting more water and money. We can supply ‘Turn off the tap’ stickers free of charge. Call the Water Conservation helpline on 0800 378937.
iv) Have you considered fitting water saving taps?
v) Are plugs fitted in basins?
Push taps with spray outlets can save over 50% of water used. Call the Water Conservation helpline on 0800 378937 for more information. ‘Captive’ plugs encourage the user to wash hands from the basin rather than under a running tap.
TOP TIP #2: Don’t forget a hot tap dripping or steam leaking will be wasting energy as well as water. Encourage staff to report and arrange prompt repair.
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Efficiency check
Done Advice
i) Do you lose water and energy through unnecessarily long pipe runs?
Long pipe runs to hot water taps allow heated water to cool and this is often run to waste as users wait for the hot water to come through. Improved plumbing and water heating saves water and heating costs.
ii) Are pipes adequately protected from frost and other damage?
Check that pipes are efficiently lagged and perhaps install trace heating in vulnerable areas. Locate your internal stop tap. Burst pipes cause damage, loss of water and productivity.
iii) Is your water pressure set at the minimum level for your needs?
If pressure is over 5 bar it is worth fitting a pressure regulator. Ask your plumber to test. Check the minimum requirements of any equipment fitted and reduce accordingly.
Action/ comments
TOP TIP #3: High rise building or sloping site? Pressure will vary from low to high and can cause flow problems as well as wastage. Fit pressure regulator/s to balance pressure across site.
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Water efficiency check list
Your next steps
7. Grounds
Now that you have completed your check list, the next step is to implement the actions and comments you have identified.
Efficiency check i) Are landscaped areas kind to the environment?
ii) Do you investigate damp patches in the grounds?
Action/ comments
Step 1:
Collecting and using rainfall to water plants will save water and money. Buy drought resistant plants when restocking landscaped areas. Only water early in the morning or in the evening. Use mulch or chippings to prevent evaporation and weed growth. Ask for a copy of our Top Tips booklet – ring 0800 378937.
If you suspect that you have a leak in your underground supply pipe but cannot locate it, South West Water can offer one hour of leak detection work and advice, free of charge. Ask for our leaflet – Help with leakage for commercial customers (see below).
Step 2:
Arrange for the repair of pipes, fittings and appliances that leak or waste water as noted in the action column of the check list. You will need to use your own maintenance team or call in a plumber to do this.
Step 3:
Checking for underground leaks as early as possible is vital. Fitting a logger gives added protection. Call 0800 378937 for more information.
South West Water supports a list of companies who offer water efficiency products and services. Ask for more information (see below).
Step 4:
South West Water can offer a water audit whereby a water conservation adviser will visit your premises and give specific advice on ways you could reduce your water consumption. Ask for more information (see below).
Step 5:
Contact the Water Efficiency Team for more information about the South West Water logging service or for an information pack about the Water Efficiency Certification scheme (see below).
Step 6:
Contact the Water Efficiency Team for more information on your historic meter readings or billing history (see below).
Done Advice
To contact the Water Efficiency Team ring
TOP TIP #4: Get to know your plumbing. Draw a plan showing your underground services, mark valves, pressure regulators and meters. Fit sub-meters to separate areas for better monitoring.
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0800 378937 or email –
[email protected] Or visit – southwestwater.co.uk/waterefficiency
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