Why water efficiency is becoming a business priority for manufacturers

We all know water efficiency is a good idea. But historically, water optimisation, reuse, and recycling have been viewed by manufacturers as 'nice to haves' rather than essential parts of their strategy. So why do we at BIP.Verco believe that, over the coming years, water efficiency measures will become a priority for manufacturing sites?

This article will outline the reasons for our view, including:

risk mitigation;
site resilience;
production demand; and
rising costs.

Disruptions are already happening, so sites need to boost resilience

Water scarcity is not a far-off issue to be addressed in a decade’s time.

In July, a poultry processing plant in Devon was forced into a 'critical situation' when its water supply was restricted1. And just this month, Lundy Island reported that it is ‘on the cusp of being evacuated’ as its water levels dropped to the lowest ever2.

These are only two of the increasing number of locations affected by water shortages and constraints. As we face hotter, drier summers, water supply is no longer certain. For manufacturers planning a new line or site expansion, access to sufficient water may become a practical constraint on growth in the near future.

In light of this, manufacturers must build resilience against water scarcity in order to maintain production and progress. Sites that put off efficiency measures for too long risk facing costly delays, setbacks, or even closures.

Processes must be optimised to meet growing production demand

As business targets and quotas grow, so does production demand. But how can sites increase production without using more water, and relying more heavily on supply that is likely to be constrained in the future?

The answer: by optimising existing processes.

Developing a utility distribution map, which details the water flow across a site, allows businesses to pinpoint:

the ways in which different processes use water;
how much water is used by each process; and
any areas where water is wasted.

From there, they can identify what can be changed and controlled, and introduce reuse and recycling measures, making their current water supply go further.

Proactive measures like these reassure stakeholders that the site will continue to operate successfully and meet demand in future years. As this significantly impacts investment decisions, water efficiency is becoming a crucial consideration.

Water costs are rising, but financial incentives and quick-win cost reductions are available

10 to 20 percent of a site's utility costs can usually be allocated to water, and that amount is going up. Worse, though the figure on the utility bill might in itself be a cause for concern, the true cost of water (made up of associated costs such as cleaning, heating, and disposal) can be up to five times that number.

Fortunately for manufacturers, sites considering and monitoring their water use are being rewarded.

For example, Anglian Water’s Non-Household Water Efficiency Tariff Trial introduces strong financial incentives for businesses willing to assess their water use and implement efficiency measures. Failing to comply with Anglian Water’s Tariff Trial will result in an elevated water cost.

Since water hasn't been a key focus until recently, many of these efficiency measures can be achieved without spending too much time or money. A simple review of people, actions, utilities, hygiene, and Clean in Place (CIP) protocols at a site can expose a lot of low-cost work with quick payback times. Low effort, big impact.

In summary...

Water efficiency is becoming a business priority for manufacturers because it allows them to:

reduce the risk of disruptions due to lack of water;
develop strategies and processes that future-proof their sites;
cut various water-related costs; and
maintain production trajectories.

How can BIP.Verco support manufacturers with water efficiency?

We support manufacturers at any stage of monitoring and improving their water use. We offer:

A metering platform, MyPerformance, which has been tracking water consumption for 30 years, evolving with the needs of our clients.
Dedicated audits, which solve particular questions, such as 'can we reuse this type of water at this stage?'
Deep Dives into the entirety of a site's water use, uncovering specific opportunities for improvement.

Beyond these services, our capital projects team can then assess projects you’d like to proceed with, look at the potential of implementing them, and help you understand the costs involved, as well as what payback might be.

Browse our water efficiency services

Don't miss our webinar on water efficiency!

Turning water scarcity into opportunity

Date: Tuesday 17th November
Time: 14:00 GMT

During this webinar, BIP.Verco experts will explore how to:

understand your water use and make water projects pay back;
identify 'low-hanging fruit' water efficiency opportunities;
make sense of the water recycling/reuse conundrum; and
select the appropriate technology to help you use and monitor water more efficiently.