Essex & Suffolk Water is offering businesses in a specific water-stressed part of Suffolk access to a fund to help reduce the amount of water they use.
The Hartismere water resource zone, which covers Eye and surrounding areas, is currently under a moratorium, which is a temporary stop on new non-domestic water connections due to concerns over the levels of supply and demand in the area.
To help, the water company is offering a “Water Saving in Business Fund” specifically for businesses in the area. You may want to pay for a survey or consultant to give you expert advice on how to reduce your water use, or you may already have ideas you want to put into action.
Tim Wagstaff, Essex & Suffolk Water’s Lead Water Efficiency Manager, said: “Demand for water is rising, but the amount of water available remains the same. East Anglia is classed as a seriously water stressed area, and the UK is forecast to face shortages as soon as 2050 unless we act now to protect our resources.
“Water efficiency is everyone’s responsibility. And while there are changes we can make at home that make a big difference, business have a role to play by repairing leaking taps and toilets, checking urinal controls are working correctly, and avoiding wasteful water practices.”
Many businesses across a range of different sectors, use millions of litres of water per year. Whether it’s for cooling systems, cleaning equipment and machinery, or for farmers looking after their livestock; it all counts.
But there are ways businesses can make changes to cut their costs, help the environment, and make the most of their water. For example, monitoring your usage in the first place can you identify what might need to be tweaked. Whether it’s installing a method for collecting rainwater that can then be used for landscaping or to wash down warehouses, or as simple as investing in a dishwasher for the office kitchen (that goes on when full) rather than taps being run to wash up individual cups – it soon adds up.
Tim adds: “Applying to the fund will not only help demonstrate climate awareness and eco-friendly company values, it also gives peace of mind for the future of the business, because while demand is rising, the amount of water available to us is not.
“If we work together and all play our part, then we can all, individuals and businesses alike, continue to enjoy the privilege of fresh, clean, safe water coming out of our taps, at the flick of a wrist.”
To find out more about the Water Saving in Business Fund, visit; Water Saving in Business Fund or get in touch with us at savingwater@nwl.co.uk.
Your project must:
- Be within the Essex & Suffolk Water Hartismere water resource zone and deliver water savings.
- Save mains tap water and start to demonstrate a measurable, sustainable reduction in water use (litres/day saved).
- Include monthly project updates and provide a written case study/report at the end of the project.
Your project will be assessed based on a number of factors, including, but not exclusive to:
- Innovation
- Funding required
- Cost per litre of water saved
- Amount of water saved
- Wider benefits, such as community, social, or environmental
- And others.
The closing date for applications is 7 March 2025.
To find out some hints and tips for how to be more water efficient, visit: Save Water | How to Help With Water Conservation