Severn Trent launches water efficiency pilot for businesses

Severn Trent and Business Stream have launched a water efficiency pilot project for business customers across the Midlands.

As part of Severn Trent’s Green Recovery Funding, businesses are being offered free audits of how water is consumed and devices installed to help them use less.

The wholesaler is covering the cost of up to £1,250 per organisation to add devices such as taps and showers that will conserve water.

Boots, Greggs, Lloyds Bank, Next and Network Rail have signed up to save water. Business Stream is now urging small and medium organisations it supplies water to to take advantage of the new scheme.

“Water can sometimes be overlooked in favour of other areas to improve business sustainability,” Tom Abel, director of sales at Business Stream, said. “And yet, by reducing water use businesses stand to save a significant amount of money as well as generate environmental savings.”

He said that by removing upfront costs of installing efficient devices, businesses can realise the benefits that water efficiency can deliver.

Businesses consumer around 30% of the water in public supply in England. To avoid a huge water deficit by the middle of this century, efficiencies must be made across home and non-domestic use. This includes a 9% reduction of non-household usage by 2038 and 15% by 2050.

Until now retailers have been tasked with helping consumers use less water, but previously highlighted the challenges of achieving without the support of wholesalers.

As part of PR24, water wholesalers will have a new performance commitment to drive down consumption in the non-household sector, in collaboration with water retailers.