Everflow, the water retail company, has set plans to expand its reach into commercial waste as well innovating in the business water space to boost efficiency and make better use of data.
Everflow became the first water company to offer carbon neutral water, for which the company reduced its own emissions and obtained certified carbon credits. By 2040, Everflow has its sights on a carbon- neutral supply chain, which Galland explained is underway.
She said Everflow is working with supply partners to understand and calculate the carbon footprint across the entire chain and set net zero goals accordingly.
Following workshops last August with supply partners, Galland said the company set out its three-year plan to score and select suppliers based on their carbon reduction plans. It also engages with suppliers to gauge where extra support is needed to deliver their carbon reduction plans.
Other areas for growth in the coming year, Galland explained, focus on broadening the multi-utility services Everflow offers, after launching a commercial waste management division last year.
As a newcomer in the water retail sector, the company has agility on its side and utilised its fresh market perspective to innovate within the space. Galland said the company is currently collaborating on innovation projects to transform the industry and improve services for customers, in consultation with MOSL and Ofwat.
She said leveraging smart meters and water efficiency projects are central to this work.
“More can be done to share data and insights across the industry and different businesses If water wholesalers and providers were able to tap into a vast pool of water usage information through better data collaboration, then issues and opportunities for optimisation could more easily be identified,” she added.
Everflow was the first UK company to introduce a free water efficiency scheme to help businesses reduce water consumption and carbon emissions.
Galland explained: “Participating businesses receive a personalised report showing fully costed and personalised water efficiency recommendations, with the potential to save up to 70% on water bills and improving water efficiency.”
It also developed benchmarking for customers to compare consumption with similar businesses. “These identify comparable businesses which are using the least water and pinpoint those that are high-consuming customers, sharing with them ways to save water without the need for an expensive site visit,” Galland said. “We are also working with wholesalers to trial ways to encourage customers to fix leaks when detected.”
The company has grown rapidly, with its staff numbers increasing 48.2% year-on-year including two senior hires last September when Craig Dallison joined as chief growth officer and Jim Garrett as chief operating officer. The new executive team were brought in to steer the company’s expansion into waste services.
Galland said the business plans to further expand its offering to make utilities simpler for small and medium-sized businesses.
Everflow was named water retailer of the year at the 2022 Water Industry Awards where judge were impressed by by the company’s action on water efficiency and achieving carbon net zero.