Reducing how much water you use is common sense. Every litre of water which flows through your water meter needs to be paid for. The less you use the lower your bill. As the majority of wastewater charges are also calculated based upon a percentage of your water usage if you use less water you will save on your sewerage charges also.
Our PURE services include a variety of measures designed to help you save money, including leak detection and repair.
Leaks are a reality of plumbing systems, whether you have a small shop or a large manufacturing plant. The lengthier and more complex your pipework the higher the risk, especially during winter and when excavating your site. Many businesses do not know where their pipework runs, how old it is, whether it can be easily accessed or if it is buried below reinforced concrete underground. However, every business is responsible for their underground pipework and throughout their premises once it has passed the wholesale water meter. This responsibility extends to include the cost of any water which travels through the pipes and is lost through a leak, even if the water is draining into the ground and not being used.
REDUCE services include:
Whether you have a small shop or a large manufacturing plant, leaks are a reality of plumbing systems. The lengthier and more complex your pipework, the higher the risk, especially during colder weather. Every business is responsible for its pipework once it has passed the wholesale water meter.
However, many businesses do not know where their pipework runs, how old it is, whether it can be easily accessed or if it is buried below reinforced concrete underground. This responsibility extends to include the cost of any water which travels through the pipes and is lost through a leak, even if the water is draining into the ground and not being used.
If your flow monitor indicates that you may have a water leak, we can deploy our experienced leak detection and repair teams to identify its source.
Leaks above ground are easy to spot, but an underground leak can run unnoticed for years, so you may just mistakenly accept that your ‘high’ water bills are normal.
Devon County Showground leak repair
The showground’s water meter showed a constant flow rate, even when the site was closed overnight, and their water bills were excessive. The area is large, extending to some 150 acres and the network of underground pipes is considerable, so this had the potential to be a complex and protracted process.
However, our experienced leak detection team discovered four leaks in total and duly repaired them over several visits. These repairs could save the showground a substantial £51,000 a year from their water bill.
Additionally, Source for Business petitioned the wholesaler for a leak allowance. This was granted which resulted in a refund of two years worth of water lost through the leak.
Have you ever considered alternative water sources to replace or supplement your mains water supply? We can offer you advice on a whole range of alternative water supplies.
Boreholes
Boreholes are mainly used in the agriculture industry – in fact, most water companies use them too! A narrow vertical shaft is drilled into the ground to reach the natural water table known as an aquifer. The water is then abstracted to ground level via a water treatment system to ensure it’s safe for drinking.
The benefits include self-sufficiency in times of harsh winters and protracted hot summers, which we are experiencing more and more.
A borehole will reduce reliance upon mains supplies and will provide water at a vastly reduced cost and environmental impact. Up to 20,000 litres a day can be extracted without a licence and this can potentially save you around £14,000 p.a.* with a return on your original investment within two years.
Many farms have disused wells and springs, which can also be regenerated to provide an additional water supply.
Rainwater harvesting
This process involves collecting rainwater and storing it on site for daily tasks that don’t require clean, chlorinated water. For example: toilet flushing, irrigation and vehicle washing.
Achieving water independence has become a focus of many businesses throughout the UK. Harvesting rainwater helps towards fixing the variable costs of water supply and providing financial payback. It also helps towards a company’s sustainability credentials. A commercial rainwater harvesting system can often have short payback periods making it a very cost effecting solution for many buildings
Greywater initiatives take water from baths, washbasins, washing machines and dishwashers and re-use it. In fact, many car washes use recycled water. This recycled water is subject to rigorous screening and disinfection.
Case study - Hillview Farm
Hillview Farm is a second-generation farm in Allet, Truro with a herd of 80 cows, 120 acres of cereals and 80 acres of potatoes. The farm’s cattle drink a lot of water and a large amount of water is used for crop spraying. Mr Williams the owner, approached us as he wanted to reduce his £16k p.a. water bill.
“A representative of SFB came out to the farm. He suggested a borehole to reduce my water bills and to help me with my sustainability targets. He organised for an acid test to bring the levels to a neutral PH for my cattle – then he organised for the borehole and storage tanks to be fitted which were unobtrusive and didn’t impact us in any way. Nearly a year on, and my water bills have reduced to just £65 a quarter for the standing charge as I’m still connected to the mains. I’m delighted with my borehole, the significant cost savings and found Nigel very knowledgeable and helpful with the whole process. I used finance to fund this and the savings I have made will pay for this installation over the next three years.” Mr Williams, owner Hillview Farm, Allet, Truro
Our other PURE services:
Protect your customers and staff
When considering the water your business uses, the first step is to ensure it’s safe
Understand your consumption
Before any business can save water, it needs to understand how much it uses, when and for what purpose.
Enhance your water systems
The potable water provided by your wholesaler may not always meet your specific needs.
