Businesses in the North West are being urged to take action to minimise impacts of water shortages. The good news is that many water efficiency measures can also bring cost savings of around 20%.
The North West region has seen its driest start to a year since 1929, with an unprecedented period of dry weather since December last year. In May, rainfall was just 38% of the long term average rainfall for the region.
Reservoirs in the area have fallen to below half their capacity. Haweswater reservoir in Cumbria has fallen to 61 percent capacity, nearly 20 percent below normal for this time of year.
Now with the threat of a hosepipe and sprinkler ban for domestic households if rainfall stays low, significant attention is turning to water supplies and water use.
Food and drink businesses need to be water wise, saving on both costs and resources. Financial savings and environmental benefits can be achieved in the following ways:
- Using less water can reduce your costs in both purchasing the water, which costs around £1/m3, but also in reducing disposal and treatment costs which can be £2 to £3/m3 – a double win.
- Also, water use is very often linked to energy costs in that energy is required to heat water and to treat it, so lower water usage can mean savings in your energy bills – a triple win.
- Using less water also has a direct impact on your carbon emissions and reduces your carbon footprint – good for the environment and us all.
- Managing water use improves environmental performance and demonstrates corporate responsibility to your customers and stakeholders...
Typical cost savings for our food clients, when we identify water saving opportunities, are close to 20% of their water charges. Many of our recommendations need minimal or no capital outlay to implement.
ADAS is also looking at the opportunities for the reuse of water within manufacturing processes, using simple treatment and filters to clean the used water.
By implementing Rain Water Harvesting, ADAS clients have benefited from additional water to use in low grade applications such as vehicle wash down, toilet flushing, and floor washing. Payback on the investment can often be within 2-3 years, with significant savings again on water bills.
Case Study: Water Saving using Rain Water Harvesting
Fresca Group Ltd., Spalding, Lincolnshire: A progressive food business developed from a farm diversification and recently acquired by major food manufacturing company Fresca Group. Jack Buck Growers specialises in the growing, packing and distribution of chicory, supplying the major retailers.
The site uses water for air humidification in the root cold stores, and for the hydroponic watering system in the chicory growing rooms.
ADAS Consultants completed an appraisal of:
• Harvesting water from the cold store roof
• Supplementing mains water supply used for store humidification
• Investigating rainwater for use in the hydroponics system.
The technical feasibility and investment appraisal identified the benefits as:
• Financial savings on purchased water of close to £500 per year
• Pay back on the investment within 12 months
• Compliance with customer protocols for improved water efficiency.
For further information and to discuss these areas in more detail, please contact David Lancaster, ADAS Client Sector Manager – Food & Drink on 01775 680878, Mobile: 07831 559327 or e-mail david.lancaster@adas.co.uk