It’s Water Saving Week 2024, an initiative hosted by Waterwise. This year, the focus is on highlighting the small changes everyone can make to have a big impact on water conservation.
Robin Phillips, Head of Sustainability at Severn Trent Services, says: “As part of our sustainability plan, we’re focussed on supporting our customers in reducing their environmental impact, which includes helping them save water. But as employees and householders ourselves, we also do what we can to conserve this precious resource during Water Saving Week and beyond!”
Water scarcity? But it’s not stopped raining
April was a wet month in the UK, with all countries provisionally recording over 100% of the average monthly rainfall*. So why do we still refer to water as precious?
Robin explains: “While we receive a substantial amount of rainfall every year in the UK, there are several reasons why being efficient with our water is extremely important. For example, population numbers are rising, water usage is growing, and climate change is dramatically altering precipitation patterns. All these factors place significant stress on existing water supplies, and indeed, in some parts of the UK, water abstraction is only permitted when customers can demonstrate that they are minimising leakage, wastage, and consumption, which is where we can help.”
Identifying and delivering sustainable solutions for our customers
Severn Trent Services supports business customers by managing all aspects of the water cycle, which includes adapting to climate change.
Robin adds: “We’re helping customers to recycle non-potable water through rainwater harvesting, for example. We also support them in mitigating flood risks through sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and reed beds.
“One of the most significant differences we’re making is in leakage, where we’re industry-leading. This is important because controlling leakage and understanding water usage are among our sector’s biggest water conservation challenges. We do this by harnessing technology to help prevent and fix leaks for our customers.”
Beyond customers, the team also offers free community education services in the communities where Severn Trent Services people work. For example, educational site tours around treatment works, school visits, and events. These are designed to bring to life how fundamental water is to our lives and how important it is to look after it.
Water-saving tips for businesses
Organisations can take many big and small steps to reduce their water footprint, which can also cut costs and reduce their environmental impact.
These include:
- Knowing how much you’re using to identify where further savings can be made
- Making sure you’ve the most water-efficient devices, like taps with flow regulators
- Finding and fixing leaks
- Recycling non-potable water by rainwater harvesting
- Tapping into your employees to help change usage habits
Robin concludes: “I’m championing Water Saving Week with my colleagues in the office and out and about. The typical office uses 0.6m3 of water per m2**. While we’re a very water-efficient bunch, I’ll have my eyes peeled for leaks and encourage people to use the dishwasher instead of running taps to wash a mug after a cuppa!”
Please visit our website for more information on the Severn Trent Services sustainability plan or our free community education services.
