With the countdown to deregulation for English non-domestic customers looming, business customers can now explore how best to maximise the opportunities presented by switching suppliers and driving operational efficiencies. Many commercial energy users will have been through a similar process with energy deregulation and will be aware what to expect.
Until recently, water had been the forgotten utility, with users focusing attention on critical operational requirements such as compliance, treatment and safety. Deregulation will provide 1.2 million English businesses the opportunity to re-negotiate the retail services element of their water and wastewater bill and will provide valuable information that can be utilised to reduce water consumption and cut water waste.
As we approach the critical April 2017 date, costs, usage and technologies are increasingly being placed under the spotlight. The primary question being asked is ‘where organisations should be concentrating efforts ahead of that time to gain maximum benefit?’
Water audits should be broad and consider supply, use, measurement, treatment, compliance, waste and disposal. For many, this will be a shift in emphasis as the focus is frequently on water management, treatment and compliance to meet essential regulations rather than efficiency of operation.
The audit should be used to inform a set of prioritised recommendations, taking into account technology and market changes, regulatory requirements, cost, tax incentive schemes and funding opportunities, infrastructure, sustainability and wider business objectives. Using this approach, building managers can compare the business cases associated with a range of interventions such as improvements to compliance programmes, alternative water sources, recycling and reuse, heat and energy capture and waste minimisation.
The business benefits include:
- reduced direct water costs;
- associated energy savings;
- minimised consumption for both water and energy;
- improved sustainability and carbon savings;
- contribution towards CSR and water compliance objectives;
- delivery of BREAM requirements for new builds.
For more advice on water savings and water deregulation complete the contact form, email compliance@carbon2018.com or call Melanie Kendall-Reid on 01252 878722.