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CCWater In Crackdown On South-East Water Quality & Pollution
Water watchdog The Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) is making an attempt to seriously crack down on pollution in the south-west of England, as well as improving water quality in the region, by inviting suppliers and those in the agriculture industry to explain how they’re managing the impact their activities have on local water resources.
Earlier this month (April 10th), the watchdog held a meeting at the Municipal Buildings on Boscawen Street in Truro, with the likes of South West Water and Wessex Water attending to reveal what work is being done in this regard.
The former showcased its work with farmers in places like Dartmoor and Exmoor in reducing pollution downstream, while also protecting the local rivers and beaches. And Wessex Water discussed what action it is now taking to reduce nitrate levels in Poole Harbour without looking for large-scale investment.
Those in attendance also heard how the Refill Bristol scheme is now helping to drive down plastic bottle waste by making free tap water more accessible at over 200 refill points around the city, including in bars, cafes and restaurants.
Figures from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership show that 70 per cent of freshwater taken for human use each year is for agricultural irrigation – and between 15 and 35 per cent of this is estimated to exceed supply.
The misuse of both surface and ground water disrupts cycles and displaces water flows – and because water is embedded in products that are exported all over the world from places of varying water availability, businesses do contribute to water scarcity in their local areas.
Even though water distribution globally is uneven, business practices have altered this distribution even more through infrastructure changes and land use.
“Needs for improved water quantity and quality are intensifying and we are increasingly looking for opportunities for the development of multi-sector resource management plans and an integrated approach to new water resource infrastructure,” head of sustainability with Anglian Water Andy Brown commented.
Whatever kind of business you run, it could certainly be worth enlisting the help of water management consultants to see what changes you can make to your operations that will help protect this precious resource of ours.
Not only will you be helping the environment by making these changes, but there are also benefits that you as a company could certainly reap – such as reduced water bills and early water leak detection.
You may also be able to claim money back from your water supplier on previous water bill errors if a water audit reveals that these have happened. Not only that but you’ll also be able to work safe in the knowledge that your future bills will also be correct.
Get in touch with water management consultants H2O Building Services if you’d like to have a site audit and your water bills analysed. We can also create a document that will advise you on the improvements that could be made to your water usage.