WATER SAVING
Water is necessary for human survival and life in general across our planet, including our friends, neighbours, and work colleagues, plants, vegetation, demand, and progress.
The demand for water is increasing with global warming, which is disrupting the water cycle, resulting in less freshwater entering reservoirs, rivers, and aquifers at a previous rate. Our planet is becoming more crowded with populations, with less easily available fresh water to go around to each of us.
We have a duty, not only to our planet, but to our future to conserve and use water wisely, “so start today to save tomorrow”
WATER FACTS
Water covers about 71% of the earth's surface, or 326 million cubic miles of water.
97% of the earth's water is found in the oceans, which is too salty for most uses except cooling.
ONLY 3% of the earth's water is fresh, but 1.4 billion people live without clean drinking water.
Low Carbon Europe (LCE) alongside our delivery partner AquaSolve Water Management(ASWM) are experts in all aspects of managing customers water consumption, with our delivery partner holding over 28 years’ experience in the industry, from Site Services to Managing Large Multisite commercial contracts, both within the Utility and Private Sectors.
At LCE/ASWM we pride ourselves on the services we deliver, it’s not just about finding and fixing water leaks, gaining an understanding of your external and internal systems allows us to offer best in class solutions enabling you to manage your water use and costs efficiently.
Key Service Offerings:
• Water Management Consultancy Services
- Driving Cost Efficiencies
- Review Water consumption and recommend enhanced practices.
- AMR Consumption Analysis
• Site Services
- Leakage surveys and investigations
- Asset Condition Surveys
- Mains Repairs and Renewals (via third parties)
- Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) Monitoring.
- Sub-metering Audit and Surveys
- Water Efficiency Audits and Installations
HOW WE CAN HELP
Conduct a water audit
Before embarking on any water-saving initiatives, businesses need to conduct a water audit. This involves assessing the current water consumption patterns and identifying areas with the highest water usage. By understanding where water is used most, businesses can prioritise their efforts and set realistic water-saving goals. Moreover, conducting regular audits helps to track progress and identify opportunities for further optimisation.
Landscaping practices
Maintaining green spaces around business premises is important, but it doesn't have to come at the cost of excessive water usage. By adopting water-smart landscaping practices, businesses can achieve a balance between aesthetics and conservation. One effective approach is to use native plants that are well-adapted to the local climate, requiring less water to thrive. Implementing efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation or smart controllers can ensure that water is delivered precisely where and when it’s needed. Regular maintenance of the landscaping system is also crucial to avoid leaks or inefficiencies.
Monitor water usage
Measure what you consume. Installing water meter monitoring systems allows businesses to monitor their water usage accurately. By tracking and analysing consumption data, companies can identify trends, peak usage periods, and areas of concern. This information enables them to make informed decisions and implement targeted water-saving measures where they can have the most significant impact
Educate employees
Creating awareness and educating employees about water conservation is vital for the success of any water-saving initiative. By organising training sessions or awareness campaigns, businesses can ensure that employees understand the importance of saving water and are equipped with the knowledge to implement water-saving practices. Encouraging employees to report water-related issues promptly can also contribute to the early detection and resolution of problems.
Fix leaks and points of waste
Did you know that a single dripping tap can waste hundreds of litres of water every month? Leaks, whether in taps, Toilets, underground buried pipes, or irrigation systems, are a major source of water waste. Businesses should prioritise identifying and fixing leaks promptly and performing regular maintenance checks to detect and repair any potential leaks. Utilising Expert knowledge such as leak detection engineers can provide vast savings in locating undetected points of water loss.
Utilise recycled water
Considering the availability of recycled water sources is an excellent way for businesses to reduce their reliance on Potable water supplies. Recycled water, or grey water, treated to meet specific standards, can be used for various non-potable purposes such as landscaping, toilet flushing, or industrial processes. By investigating the feasibility of using recycled water and implementing appropriate infrastructure, businesses can contribute to water conservation efforts while maintaining their operations.
Water-efficient fittings
Traditional fixtures often consume more water than necessary. By installing water-efficient fixtures, businesses can significantly reduce water consumption without compromising functionality. Low flow taps and aerators can limit water flow without affecting user experience. Upgrading to efficient dishwashers and laundry equipment can also lead to substantial water savings over time. Save a flush bag can reduce water consumption by 1 litre per flush, Urinal Management, Installing PIR sensor devices only operate when the urinal is in use, again saving water
Implement water-saving policies
Integrating water-saving practices into company policies ensures that water conservation becomes a fundamental aspect of business operations. By setting targets and incentives for water conservation, businesses can motivate employees to actively participate in saving water. Companies can encourage their employees to contribute innovative ideas and reward them for their contributions. Engaging employees in the process helps create a culture of sustainability within the organisation.
Water leak detection can be carried out in numerous ways from basic conventional surface sounding with a listening stick through to more advance techniques such as correlation and thermography. Each technique is used to source leaks in different areas around a property.
Below are many ways in which we can detect the leak:
LEAKAGE SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS
01
Acoustic
Acoustic techniques are where listening sticks and ground microphones are used to locate and pinpoint leaks; these methods enhance the sounds being transmitted to the surface by an underground leak; these methods also help in reducing disruption during the repair process by being more accurate thus reducing the amount of excavation work for the repairs.
02
Digital Ground Microphone
The Ground Microphone, does exactly as it suggest, it amplifies the sound on the ground. Using this sophisticated piece of kit, the Engineer can listen to leaks way beneath the surface, and pinpoint the location of the leak, prior to excavations being required.
03
Listening Stick
Even though we carry the most up to date sophisticated technology, our Engineers still very much use the conventional Listening Stick, which naturally amplifies the sounds listened to.
04
Correlation
Correlation is a means of locating leaks along water pipes of all sizes and with variable distances; a leak along a pipe that is under pressure makes noise. Leak noise correlators are then quite accurate in locating the leak; the correlator uses two sensors in separate locations along the pipe and calculates (in milliseconds) the sound between the two sensors, it is then transmitted to a central computer that peaks, locating the leak.
05
Digital Correlation
We use the latest technology in correlations, using digital technology. Radio stations are positioned at two points on the system and connected to the pipe or system using Accelerometers (sensitive microphones). Under pressure the leak will create a “leak sound”. This sound travels along the pipe and is heard at either end by each Accelerometer. The information is transferred to the main processor via the Radio Stations, and using a time delay calculation, the leak is located.
06
Thermography
Thermal imaging is the use of an infrared imaging and measurement camera to see and measure heat or cold emitted from an object. Thermal imaging cameras can identify problems in areas where normal visual methods cannot see. On gravity fed pipework where a leak wouldn’t generally make a sound, thermal imaging helps in showing either hot or cold spots thus enabling you pinpoint the leak.
07
Endoscopy
This method is used where pipes are hidden behind false/stud walls under floorboards, cavities and behind installed equipment like storage tanks etc. endoscopy works by giving images that would not generally be seen by the naked eye due to obstructions etc. endoscopy also enables you to take photographs that can then be used in reporting as survey evidence.
08
Gas Insertion
If we are unable to locate a leak on your system using the methods detailed above, we can drain your system, insert a safe gas (Nitrogen 95% & Hydrogen 5%) into your system. The gas will escape from the leak and work its way to the surface. The Engineer will locate the gas from above, using an extremely sensitive detector, thus proving the leak location below. This method is particularly beneficial on small bore pipes including internal heating system leaks.
09
Mains Repairs and Renewals
Leak repairs and pipe renewals can be very disruptive and intrusive when leaks are under the property; we try our best to minimize disruption to both business and household. We will find the right solution to minimise any potential disruption. We work alongside suppliers who have around 40 years’ experience in the water industry, and we will always try and complete the task as quickly as possible and with the least amount of fuss.
10
AMR Data Logging
Automated meter reading is the technology of automatically collecting consumption, diagnostic, and status data from a pulse enabled water meter and transferring that data to a central database. The data can then be used for billing, troubleshooting, analysing usage and leak monitoring.
11
Sub-meter Installations
Sub meter installations are usually put in place to monitor areas of high usage with large premises like factories, football stadiums, holiday parks and so on. They can either be installed internally or in the ground inside a chamber. The meters can then be fitted with an AMR (automatic meter read) device which would give constant flow data, detailing consumption. We can supply and install both the sub meter and the data logger to enable you to monitor consumption, misuse and of course leakage.
12
Water Efficiency Audits and Installations
There are several steps to be undertaken before the actual site audit, such as tariff management and bill validation. Numerous anomalies like incorrect; billing, surface water tariff, trade effluent tariff can be found without the need to go to site. Detailed site audits can then be carried out, looking into usage, wastage, misuse (like taps left running), leaking ball valves, etc. All this adds up to higher bills if not checked and controlled. Underground leakage can also be checked during this exercise by carrying out isolation test where possible, cross connections with neighbouring properties can also be checked out during the audit.