Panorama
 
 
 
 

AWARDS ON OFFER FOR NORTH EAST WATER SAVING BUSINESSES


Environmental Panorama
International
July of 2006

6-Jul-2006 - The Environment Agency is calling on water saving businesses and organisations in the North East to lead by example and show their customers how environmentally aware they are by entering the Water Efficiency Awards.

Businesses use 8,000 million litres of water a day and most can save 30% or more of their water costs by implementing simple measures such as installing dual flush toilets and using rainwater collected on roofs for vehicle washing and outside watering.

Now in their fifth year, the awards are open to those organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors that have made the most outstanding contribution to saving water and money.

Environment Agency Director of Water Management, Dr David King, said the awards aimed to increase awareness about saving water, share good practice and demonstrate water efficiency initiatives as cost effective.

“We all have a part to play in saving water and this certainly includes businesses. Now’s the time for North East businesses to show customers how aware of the environment they are and save money at the same time," David King said.

"Water efficient features in buildings such as dual flush toilets, smart technology in manufacturing and staff training in water efficiency can improve water management and reduce costs. Our Water Efficiency Awards provide organisations with the opportunity to showcase the excellent work that is being done across the country in saving our water resources.”

Last year’s Defra overall winner, Sheepdrove Organic Farm in Berkshire, designed a whole-farm approach to water conservation. This included the installation of a sophisticated reedbed water treatment system, which treats all wastewater from the farm, staff cottages and conference centre. The farm now saves more than £200,000 a year from the water recycling plant at their farm and conference centre. The cost of installation was recouped in just 18 months.

The Environment Agency Water Efficiency Awards run every two years and nominations are now open for 2007. There are seven categories and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London. Support for the awards has already been confirmed from Defra, Envirowise, The Countryside Agency working towards Natural England, Ofwat and the National Farmers' Union.

"Our use of water in all aspects of our lives has a direct impact on the rivers and wetlands of England and Wales. We all need to do our bit to make the water we use go further for the long-term protection of the environment and our water supplies. We cannot expect our environment to provide a constantly increasing supply of water.

"Businesses taking part in these awards can show customers how seriously they take the environment, by making responsible choices about one of our most precious natural resources," David King said.

For more information, visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/savewater or telephone 01903 832 073 for an entry form. Completed entries must be received by 31 August 2006.

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS:

What the judges are looking for

• New and creative approaches to reducing water use or increasing water efficiency – technological, managerial or educational.
• Measurable savings, both water and financial (no minimum amount).
• Wider environmental impacts, such as reduced waste and energy use.
• Continuing commitment to water efficiency.
• Practical and transferable measures that can be adopted elsewhere.

Rules of entry

• Projects must have been completed or been operational between September 2004 and March 2006.
• Entrants must use an official Awards entry form.
• The closing date for entries is 31 August 2006.
• The judges reserve the right not to accept an entry if the rules have not been complied with.
• The judges reserve the right to move an entry from one category to another if they feel it is appropriate.
• The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• The Awards will be presented as a ceremony in London in March 2007.
• By making an entry, the entrant gives the Environment Agency the right to publish details of their project. We may publish full details, or an edited version, without seeking further permission, and may assign publication rights to a third party (while honouring confidentiality of specific information).

The Categories

Construction and Renovation
Entries are invited for the Construction and Renovation category from any organisations involved in construction, maintenance and renovation projects, which demonstrate new, cost-effective and transferable ways of using water more efficiently in buildings.

Public Sector
Entries are invited for the Public Sector category from organisations, which demonstrate water and financial savings and water efficient practices being spread throughout the organisation.

Natural England Leisure and Tourism
Entries are invited for the Natural England Leisure and Tourism category from companies within the leisure and tourism industry, whether theme parks, leisure complexes, hotels, health clubs, pubs or restaurants. Entries must demonstrate innovative approaches to water conservation.

NFU Agriculture and Horticulture
Entries are invited for the NFU Agriculture and Horticulture category from all areas of farming and horticulture that demonstrate how efficient planning of water use has led to long term savings.

Inspiring Change
Entries are invited for the Inspiring Change category from education programmes and community action projects, that are aimed at raising awareness of water efficiency and changing behaviour. These initiatives may have targeted schoolchildren, students, local communities or the general public.

Envirowise Industry and Business
Entries are invited for the Envirowise Industry and Business category from companies which have improved water efficiency in manufacturing or day-to-day water use at their premises, whether through the installation of new equipment or through encouraging staff to save water.

Ofwat Economic Research and Innovation
Entries are invited for the Ofwat Economic Research and Innovation category from any organisations, whose research has helped to improve understanding of the role of economic incentives in managing demand for water.

Defra Outstanding Contribution to Water Conservation
Selected from the category winners by the judging panel, this award will go to an organisation that provides an exceptional example of good practice.
Alexandra Wales

 
 

Source: Environment Agency – United Kingdom (http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk)
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