News
Could You Save Money on Business Sewerage Charges?
Did you know that your business isn’t simply charged for the water that goes into your property, but also what comes out? Wastewater, sewerage charges, and effluent are all words that your supplier may use to refer to liquid waste that you are billed for as it leaves your property.
Sewerage can include wastewater from a kitchen or toilet, as well as drainage from your site. Food waste and chemicals, as well as fats, oils and grease are all items that will cause you to incur additional charges on your water bill. Metering can detect the levels of effluent in the water, so the more concentrated the solutions you are pouring down the drain, the higher the rate you will have to pay.
Fortunately, there are actions you can take to significantly reduce your sewerage charges.
Cut down on bathroom water usage
There are a few different ways that you can cut down on wastewater produced in the bathrooms of your business. By using high-efficiency items such as low-flow toilets and faucets that use a sensor, you can cut down on your wastewater creation while also helping the environment.
Leaky toilets can be a significant contributor to elevated sewerage charges, and can be easy to test for with just a few drops of food colouring. By dropping a small amount of dye in the toilet tank and letting it sit for 10 or 15 minutes without flushing, you will know if there is a leak if you see coloured water in the toilet bowl.
Of course, posting signage encouraging staff and customers not to flush tissues or other small items down the toilet will also help. Not only can these items increase your sewerage rate, but they can also clog pipes and result in the need for costly repairs.
Save water outdoors
Opportunities to cut down on sewerage costs aren’t just confined within the walls of your business, there are plenty outside as well.
Landscaping around your business can have a significant impact on water consumption. Look for varieties of ornamental plants that thrive in dry conditions. By selecting drought-resistant plants that can go several days or even a week without watering, you will keep the grounds around your business looking great while cutting down on water usage.
Alternatively, plants can help to reduce surface water drainage costs. If any rainwater runoff from roofs or guttering enters the public sewerage system, you will be charged. Harvesting rainwater to give to your plants, or even to be re-used elsewhere within your business, is one great way to save money.
Of course, having a large green lawn can also be a big water cost. Replacing grass with gravel or some other type of ground cover will reduce the need for a sprinkler system during warm, dry spells of weather..
When cleaning pavements and the car park around your business, there is another opportunity to reduce water usage by using a broom instead of a hose.
Filtration systems
Another way to reduce effluent charges is to treat your water before releasing it back into the sewer system. Since your sewerage is metered and you are charged based on the quality of water leaving your property, filtration systems are an efficient way to cut wastewater charges, particularly for factories and large processing facilities. A filtration system requires minimal maintenance, has a small footprint, and will quickly pay for itself in wastewater savings.
Let a professional analyse your specific situation
Let the experts at H2O Building Services find additional savings on your sewerage charges. With over 30 years of experience reducing water and wastewater charges for clients big and small across the UK, we have the knowledge necessary to identify and rectify any areas where you are currently overpaying. Give us a call on 0845 658 0948 or contact us online today.