Envirowise : Water Issues

Seán Moran

Contents

What is Envirowise? What water really costs Things to do How to find further help

What is Envirowise?

Formerly Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme

Funded by DTI & DEFRA in association with Devolved Administrations

Free help for all businesses Promotes better environmental

practices that reduce business costs Cleaner technology Waste minimisation

Show that environmental improvements can actually SAVE MONEY

Reducing Water Use

Tracking Water Use to Cut Costs (GG152)

Cost Effective Water Saving Devices & Practices (GG67)

Saving Money Through Waste Minimisation: Reducing Water Use (GG26)

What Water Really Costs

1-2% of turnover Methodology: How to identify

areas where savings can be made?

Technology: What kit is available?

How Much Can We Save?

For sites that have not previously tried to save water, reductions of 20% in water and effluent bills are usually achievable at little or no cost. As much as 40%, or more, might be achievable if projects with paybacks of up to two years are included

Systematic Water Minimisation I

Involving all members of staff from senior management to plant operators;

developing a clear, easily understood plan;

determining the true costs of water consumption and wastewater generation;

Systematic Water Minimisation II

Identifying all water inputs and outputs; drawing up a water mass balance; allocating annual water consumption

between major users; brainstorming to generate water saving

ideas; implementing all feasible options; maintaining savings

Involving all members of staff

At the beginning of the project: site management the project team the team leader

However, all employees have a contribution to make and this should be encouraged.

Developing a clear, easily understood plan: I

Without an effective plan: not all the achievable savings are

identified; the exercise becomes a one-off ‘purge’; ongoing savings are not pursued; employees are not motivated to help; implementation of ideas is difficult; the programme loses momentum and

disappears

Developing a clear, easily understood plan: II

Scope:The plan should state whether:- The whole site is to be addressed or just

one part. Addressing the whole site hasAdvantages, but for a large site, one area

or department could be selected for a pilot study.

- Water only will be addressed or water and contaminants simultaneously.

Developing a clear, easily understood plan: III

Programme:A timetable covering all the planned

activities should be drawn up. The overall programme may last 12 months or more. Monthly milestones are therefore important.

True Costs Of Water I

Purchase price Disposal price Trade effluent charges Pumping costs Maintenance costs Capital costs Treatment costs Loss of valuable materials

True Costs of Water II

Avoiding potential bottlenecks Helping water company planning Environmental benefits Increased production without having to

upgrade the water supply system Reduced corrosion and improved

working conditions through the elimination of leaks

Identifying all water inputs and outputs

Annual water consumption Effluent volumes

Draw up an Overall Mass Balance

Data Validation Inputs=Outputs Drying Product Rainwater

Allocate Flows to Areas

Equipment suppliers Design specifications Spot check measurements Estimations However, it is important to

determine total actual consumption and not rely on what is believed to be used.

Brainstorming

Team Sequence Analysis Conclusions

Maintain Savings

Departmental competitions Suggestion schemes Appointment of ‘water wardens’ as the

primary contact in each area of the site.

Survey of Water Distribution Systems and Points of Use

Unidentified connections; Cross connections; Broken valves; Incorrectly set valves; Leaks

Survey of Water Use and Patterns

Excessive or unnecessary use Unknown use Unauthorised use

Survey of Effluent Discharges and Routes to Sewer

Clean water discharges direct to effluent;

Unauthorised discharges to effluent; Unnecessary surface water discharges

to effluent; Sources of potential failure of effluent

discharge consents.

Before Considering Devices

Agree Target for net savings Payback periods

Consider How are savings to be estimated? What impact will savings have on costs? How much can be spent? How can appropriate water saving devices

and practices be identified?

Which Devices to Consider?

Cost Effective Water Saving Devices & Practices (GG67)

Water Saving Devices and Practices for Industrial Estates

Contents General Water Use Process Plant

General Water Use

Monitoring Leakage identification and

elimination Overflow identification and

elimination Use of block valves instead of

preset control valves for isolation

General Water Use

Flood prevention Tamper prevention Plan temporary supplies Reduce undesirable heat loss or

gain

General Water Use

Re-use of wash water Scrapers/squeegees/brushes Cleaning in Place (CIP) technology Recycle after treatment

Process Plant

Liquid ring vacuum pumps Cooling towers Heat exchangers Hydraulic power packs

Water Saving Practices & Devices for Commercial Sites

Contents General Water Use Toilets Showers Gardening Laboratories Garages

General Water Use

Automatic/manual isolation of water supply

Toilets

Flush control

Showers

Flow restriction

Gardening

Sprays/jets Automatic supply shut-off Abandon grass watering Minimise evaporation Rainwater collection

Laboratories

Condensers Vacuum pumps

Garages

Spray Systems Water Reuse

Summary of Envirowise Assistance

Environment and Energy Helpline

0800 585794 Free advice Free Site visits for SMEs Free Publications Workshops & seminars

Environmental Industries Forum

Company page on their website Materials Exchange Seminars Networking Advertising Newsletters 0115 848 4844