25-Apr-2006 - 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 14, 000 million
litres of water a day and most can save 30% or
more of their water costs by implementing simple
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’s the time for businesses
to show customers how aware of the environment
they are and save money at the same time,"
David 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."
Last year’s Defra overall winner,
Sheepdrove Organic Farm, designed a whole-farm
approach to water conservation. This included
the installation of a sophisticated reedbed water
treatment system, which treats all wastewater
from the farm, staff cottages and conference centre.
The farm now saves more than £200,000 a
year from the water recycling plant at their farm
and conference centre. The cost of installation
was recouped in just 18 months.
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 National Farmers' Union.
"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.
"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," David King said.
For more information, visit the Environment Agency
website or telephone 01903 832 073 for an entry
form.
Ends
NOTES TO EDITORS:
What the judges are
looking for:
New and creative approaches
to reducing water use or increasing water efficiency
- technological, managerial or educational.
Measurable savings, both water and financial (no
minimum amount).
Wider environmental impacts, such as reduced waste
and energy use.
Continuing commitment to water efficiency.
Practical and transferable measures that can be
adopted elsewhere.
Rules of entry
Projects must have been completed
or been operational between September 2004 and
March 2006.
Entrants must use an official Awards entry form.
The closing date for entries is 31 August 2006.
The judges reserve the right not to accept an
entry if the rules have not been complied with.
The judges reserve the right to move an entry
from one category to another if they feel it is
appropriate.
The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence
will be entered into.
The Awards will be presented as a ceremony in
London in March 2007.
By making an entry, the entrant gives the Environment
Agency the right to publish details of their project.
We may publish full details, or an edited version,
without seeking further permission, and may assign
publication rights to a third party (while honouring
confidentiality of specific information).
The Categories
Construction and Renovation
Entries are invited for the
Construction and Renovation category from any
organisations involved in construction, maintenance
and renovation projects, which demonstrate new,
cost-effective and transferable ways of using
water more efficiently in buildings.
Public Sector
Entries are invited for the
Public Sector category from organisations, which
demonstrate water and financial savings and water
efficient practices being spread throughout the
organisation.
Natural England Leisure
and Tourism
Entries are invited for the
Natural England Leisure and Tourism category from
companies within the leisure and tourism industry,
whether theme parks, leisure complexes, hotels,
health clubs, pubs or restaurants. Entries must
demonstrate innovative approaches to water conservation.
NFU Agriculture and
Horticulture
Entries are invited for the
NFU Agriculture and Horticulture category from
all areas of farming and horticulture that demonstrate
how efficient planning of water use has led to
long term savings.
Inspiring Change
Entries are invited for the
Inspiring Change category from education programmes
and community action projects, that are aimed
at raising awareness of water efficiency and changing
behaviour. These initiatives may have targeted
schoolchildren, students, local communities or
the general public.
Envirowise Industry
and Business
Entries are invited for the
Envirowise Industry and Business category from
companies which have improved water efficiency
in manufacturing or day-to-day water use at their
premises, whether through the installation of
new equipment or through encouraging staff to
save water.
WSRA Economic Research
and Innovation
Entries are invited for the
WSRA Economic Research and Innovation category
from any organisations, whose research has helped
to improve understanding of the role of economic
incentives in managing demand for water.
Defra Outstanding Contribution
to Water Conservation
Selected from the category winners
by the judging panel, this award will go to an
organisation that provides an exceptional example
of good practice.
