6-Jul-2006
- The Environment Agency is calling on water saving
businesses and organisations in the North East
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 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.
We all have a part to play
in saving water and this certainly includes businesses.
Nows the time for North East 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 years Defra overall winner,
Sheepdrove Organic Farm in Berkshire, 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, Ofwat 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 www.environment-agency.gov.uk/savewater
or telephone 01903 832 073 for an entry form.
Completed entries must be received by 31 August
2006.
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.
Ofwat Economic Research and
Innovation
Entries are invited for the Ofwat 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.
Alexandra Wales
