UK business owners: if you’ve successfully reduced your firm’s water consumption and improved conservation over the past year, don’t forget the coming deadline for the Environment Agency Water Efficiency Awards.

The deadline for entries is 15 May, and an awards ceremony is scheduled for 15 July.

Held bi-annually since 2000, the Water Efficiency Awards aim to demonstrate that sustainability and water efficiency go hand in hand for businesses.

“Water is vital to our economy and its use underpins many of our most important industries,” said Ian Barker, Head of Water at the Environment Agency. “However, climate change and population growth mean that businesses must adapt their behaviours to ensure a sustainable balance can be set between the demands of people and the environment.”

A recent agency poll of 500 UK organisations found that 41 per cent were unaware that water consumption contributes to their carbon footprint. Industries with the greatest awareness of the connection between water and carbon emissions included agricultural firms (67 per cent), business services (59 per cent) and hotels and restaurants (56 per cent).

According to Water UK, the supply and treatment of water accounts for 1 per cent of all the electricity purchased in Britain, and generates about 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Tags: water