Many companies across the UK are already reaping the environmental and economic benefits of water recovery and reuse, which can provide a more drought-resistant water supply. This could help facilitate business continuity if water demand should outstrip supply.

Not only can better water efficiency help to protect companies against potential problems in the future, but it can also reap significant financial benefits. As water is a resource that we pay for twice – once when we turn on the tap and again in sewerage costs – there is great scope for cost savings. It is estimated that companies which take a systematic approach can cut their water consumption by 20 to 50 per cent.

Those keen to seize the opportunity to save money through water efficiency would be well advised to consider water efficient technologies, not least because the associated tax relief with buying these products can help you boost the bottom line.

Businesses of all sizes across all sectors use water and, for many businesses, one of the simplest means of reducing water use is by improving water efficiency in the wash rooms.  Water efficient taps such as automatic shut-off taps, lever and spray taps can add up to significant cost savings in the long term, for a relatively small initial investment.

Taking a water efficiency project further might involve higher capital expenditure but could lead to considerable savings from lower mains water and disposal charges. For example, installation of water reuse technologies, such as membrane filtration systems, can help save money by reducing consumption of potable quality mains supplied water and reducing effluent strength, leading to savings in disposal charges. Membrane filtration enables water to be recovered and reused by helping to separate very small particles of material, giving a high level of purification. These systems can be used either as part of a wider water recovery and reuse system or as a standalone technology within existing processes.

Membrane filtration is just one example of a technology that can have the end result of reducing the total volume of supply water required on site, thus cutting water and sewerage bills and improving sustainability.

The financial returns of water saving devices and recovery and reuse systems can be greater than just the mains supply and effluent savings, as many water efficient technologies are also eligible for tax relief through the Water Technology List (WTL).

The WTL provides a selection of more than 2,000 water efficient products and forms part of the government’s Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme, enabling UK businesses which pay income or corporation tax to claim 100 per cent first-year capital allowances when they purchase eligible products for use in their business.

To find out more about purchasing products from the WTL or to apply for certification of a membrane filtration or recovery and re-use system, visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/wtl or call 0800 585794.