Why Use More Than You Need?

'Regardless of whether there is a drought or not, there needs to be a change in the way we all use and value water'.

That's according to one of the UK's largest water companies, Yorkshire Water, who, with the support of Environment Minister Richard Benyon, is launching a 'Why use more than you need?' campaign to get everyone to view water more as a precious resource and help them to use it sensibly and only when they really need to.

It comes as latest figures show that the average British person uses 160 litres a day - 100 litres of water more, per day, than two generations ago.  It's also significantly more than in countries such as Germany where daily individual consumption levels stand at 127 litres per day.

This, coupled with the fact that the region's population is forecast to grow by 800,000 people by 2036, means that pressure on Yorkshire's healthy water stocks is only likely to grow.

Whilst population growth is inevitable, the company is focussing its efforts on turning Yorkshire into a water efficient region by protecting existing water stocks and encouraging everyone to play their part in conserving water by 'using only what you need'.

And with its programme of water conservation events already hitting towns and cities across the region, Yorkshire Water is ramping up its activity by sending company volunteers into primary schools to help spread the message of how everyone can help to conserve water and ensure it's used sensibly.

Their 'water-wise men and women' will be highlighting simple ways to avoid water wastage by doing things like turning the tap off while brushing your teeth - which saves six litres a minute - and reducing your time in the shower by one minute, which if everyone did this, would save enough water to supply London for between two to four months.

The company hopes that the children will go home and spread the word, encouraging those around them to ensure they're using water sensibly.

The volunteers, who will range from meter readers through to managers, will also be meeting with businesses and community groups to help spread the message and give people the tools they need to conserve water and in many cases, save money on their water and energy bills.

In addition, free water saving packs are available from the company's website, yorkshirewater.com, containing an array of useful gadgets including flush savers - a bag of crystals which is put in the toilet cistern to reduce the flush - with the aim of making it easier for people to do the right thing.

Richard Flint, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Water, comments: "With the recent record-breaking rainfall, it's easy to forget that water conservation is still incredibly important, particularly when you think that as a country we're using more water than ever, and populations are only set to rise, putting further pressures on water resources.

"This all means that it's more important than ever that we become a water efficient region, which is why we're launching our 'Why use more than you need?' campaign now.

"Our campaign is about giving people the tools and advice they need to help them to conserve water and ensure they're 'only using what they need'.

"Not only will this hopefully help to drive down usage and protect precious water stocks, but by conserving water, many customers are also likely to notice a fall in their water bills, which can only be good news at a time when most are feeling the pinch."

The campaign is supported by Environment Minister Richard Benyon, who comments: "Far too often, water is not treated like the valuable commodity it really is which is why I support this campaign and hope that it can encourage people to use water more wisely.

"Climate change and population growth is going to put even more pressure on our water supplies in the future which is why it is important that everyone plays their part in becoming more water efficient."

The company, which provides its customers with an average of 1.24 billion litres of water a day, is also stressing that it will continue to work hard and invest in its vast network in order to play its part in protecting water stocks and helping to ensure Yorkshire becomes a water efficient region.

The recent drought in East and South Yorkshire didn't impact on water supplies, with the company using its £300 million underground grid of pipes to manage and balance stocks by moving water around to where it was most needed.

The company is now recording, month-on-month, its lowest ever leakage levels following a £39 million investment over the last year into reducing leakage on its 32,000km network of water pipes.

As a result, the company is confident that it will meet this year's leakage target set by industry regulator Ofwat.

And with Yorkshire Water investing a further £300 million across the region over the next 12 months, with a big part of this being invested in improving the quality and robustness of water pipes, the company has pledged that its more committed than ever to doing everything it can to reducing leakage on its underground network.

Energy Bill Welcomed by Yorkshire Water

 

'As one of Yorkshire's biggest investors in renewable energy technologies, we welcome today's long-awaited draft Energy Bill as a catalyst for further investment in clean energy generation'.

 

Yorkshire Water considers today's draft Bill to be a welcome step forward by the Government in supporting energy companies to do the right thing by encouraging greater investment in renewable energy generation.

Today's draft Bill is particularly welcome as it supports its intention to reduce its current energy consumption and exploit new and existing ways of generating clean energy to power its region-wide operations.

In the last ten years alone, the company has spent around £100 million harnessing renewable energies, which has helped to reduce operating costs and consequently keep customers' bills as low as possible.

Ben Roche, manager of energy and carbon at Yorkshire Water, comments: "Each year we receive an overall electricity bill for approximately £45 million with 70% of our carbon footprint coming from electricity - a footprint that currently stands at 453,000 tonnes of CO2e.

"For some years now, as the environmental impact of energy usage has been more widely understood, coupled with the increasing cost of energy prices, we've been exploring how we can reduce our energy consumption and our reliance on grid electricity, as well as our environmental impact, through renewable energy generation and other activities.

"By 2015, we're hoping to be in a position where 16% of our overall electricity needs are provided by renewable sources, with this rising to 25% by 2020.

"Such a big aspiration requires a lot of hard-work and investment, so it's great to see the Government stepping up to the mark to support companies like ourselves with what are incredibly big undertakings."

Recent investment by the company into renewable energy generation at its sites includes a £30 million, 18 month project which it began back in January 2012, to create the UK's first energy neutral sewage plant.

The project at the company's Esholt plant in Shipley, which receives around 300 litres of waste water a second, will see the installation of the UK's first BioThelys Sludge Treatment Plant, which will be used to create energy from human waste and effluent using a process called thermal hydrolysis.

Thermal hydrolysis uses heat and pressure to break down sewage sludge to create an energy rich biogas that can then be burned to produce electricity which in turn will be used to power much of the plant.



Carbon neutral house bricks made in part from sewage sludge

 In what is a world-first, the company is also currently trialling a process at its Esholt plant to enable it to recover energy from some of the waste products which enter its sewage works, such as sanitary wear, cotton wool buds and toilet paper - all of which have traditionally gone to landfill in line with standard industry practice.

Early indications show the potential for significant, ground breaking energy generation, further enabling the company to deliver cost-effective electricity whilst securing an environmentally and financially sustainable route for these problematic waste products.

On a wider level, the company is also working with Encos on a trial to create carbon-neutral building bricks out of sludge and vegetable-oil-based binders, which is again helping to reduce the amount of sludge sent to landfill. If the trial proves successful and the bricks are approved for building use, it has the potential to revolutionise both the construction and water industries.



The company looks after more than 54,000 miles of water and sewerage network, and supplies 1.24 billion litres of drinking water every day.

Leeds MP Visits Flood Alleviation Work

Work is progressing well on the multi-million pound Yorkshire Water scheme to drastically reduce the risk of sewer flooding to local homes on Easterley Road in Gipton, Leeds.

Leeds MP Fabian Hamilton, who today (Friday 18 May) visited the project, has applauded the work which will help to protect local properties who have previously suffered with the misery of flooding for many years.

Since September 2011, engineering specialists Barhale WSP have been working hard to install five giant storage tanks, which when completed, will be capable of holding two million litres of water in times of heavy rain - equivalent to the capacity of 25,000 baths.

From August onwards, the tanks will work by storing storm water during periods of heavy weather, and holding it until it is safe to be released back into the local sewer network, ensuring sewers aren't overloaded and at risk of backing up and causing flooding.

Mr Hamilton commented “Flooding is something that nobody should ever have to suffer, so I'm delighted to see Yorkshire Water is making great progress on a solution which should help to protect local properties and ensure that flooding in the area is a thing of the past."

Between 2010 and 2015, Yorkshire Water is investing £120 million to upgrade its sewer network and treatment facilities to further reduce the risk of sewer flooding, which can occur when sewers become overloaded during times of heavy rainfall.

Project Manager for Yorkshire Water, Paul Almond, said: “Work on Easterley Road is progessing very well. This is major scheme which has impacted on many of the local residents and businesses. We’d like to thank local residents for their patience and reassure them that, as we near completion, we are working as fast as we can to get things back to normal.”

The investment will benefit hundreds of customers across the region who might otherwise have been at potential risk from sewer flooding and serve to reduce the likelihood of sewer flooding in the region during storm conditions.

 

Water great day at Howard Park Primary School

Year five students from Howard Park primary school, Cleckheaton, took time out of their classroom today (19 April 2012) see first hand how Yorkshire Water are helping to improve the environment by carrying out a £2.3m scheme to reduce sewer flooding and the risk of pollution to the River Spen. The company has been working since October last year to install a new tank, capable of holding two million litres of water in times of heavy rainfall.

The 22 children, chosen as they are currently studying the environment as part of the syllabus got a guided tour of the site and got the opportunity to pose questions to Project Manager, Melissa Reynard, and contractors BarhaleWSP. During the visit, Ms Reynard commented "we've been working close to this school for several months and wanted to give the children the chance to get out and learn more about the environment around them. Saying that, we hadn't anticipated such difficult questions!!".

Assistant Head, Jonathan Pickles, adds "it's great that such a large business has offered this opportunity. There has been a real buzz around Year 5 ahead of today and the children have learnt a lot about their local environment. To supplement this visit, the whole school is taking part in a poster competition, with prizes being supplied by Yorkshire Water for each year group."

Since starting the scheme, the company has liaised closely with Kirklees Council and the Environment Agency who were also on hand to the explain dangers of flood water and how to stay safe should flooding occur. Graham Lindsey, the EA's Engagement Officer said "Over the last month we have visited around 900 properties in the Spen Valley that are at risk of flooding from local becks to offer advice and information about being prepared. Following this we have registered nearly 300 properties to our free flood warning service, which is available on www.environment-agency.gov.uk"

Local councillor, Kath Pinnock, also came along to meet the children and receive an update on the essential project. Whilst there, she presented Barhale's Roger Greenwood, with a £50 voucher for his pivotal role in saving a parent's life recently. Whilst on his way to site, Mr Greenwood came across a lady who had collapsed on the floor whilst taking her child to school. He quickly put his first aid training to good use and ensured she was comfortable and put into the recovery position, before dialling 999.

Jason McCartney MP visits reservoir work in Holme Valley

Jason McCartney, Member of Parliament for Colne Valley, took time out today (Thursday 12 April) to visit the Holme Valley to see first hand Yorkshire Water's investment in the local reservoirs. Since 2007, the company has completed work to install new spillways at Ramsden, Riding Wood and most recently, Brownhill Reservoirs. Spillways transfer excess flows in times of heavy rain down the valley and the work is necessary to ensure they continue to meet stringent legislation, known as the Reservoirs Act 1975.

The final phase to carry out similar work at Yateholme Reservoir has begun and is expected to be completed by September 2012. Yateholme Reservoir's new spillway, when complete, will bring to an end over six years of construction work in the Holme Valley, and over £10million of investment.

Yorkshire Water Project Manager, Ed Hinton comments, "Yorkshire Water is responsible for over 120 reservoirs across the region, and their safety is of paramount importance, which is why we work hard to ensure they meet new standards. Many of these spillways have been around for over a hundred years, and we hope that the excellent work carried out by our contractors, Mott MacDonald Bentley will ensure they are safe for another century."

On completing his tour, Jason McCartney MP said, "It was really interesting to see the results of many months of hard work by Yorkshire Water to make the reservoirs safe. I commend Yorkshire Water for their communication with residents throughout the process. It is also good to see that most of the work in the Holme Valley is now coming to an end and residents and visitors will soon be able to enjoy the walks once again around some of the most beautiful countryside Yorkshire has to offer".

You're Hired!

Bradford MP Gerry Sutcliffe summoned Yorkshire Water apprentices to the boardroom yesterday to find out more about the tasks they had been undertaking as part of the scheme.

But unlike the TV programme we are pleased to say that no one was fired and Gerry was particularly impressed with the valuable contribution being made by all our apprentices to the success of the Yorkshire Water since beginning their careers with us back in September.

Apprentice, Alex Raistrick said: “The apprentice scheme has been an amazing opportunity for me to work for such a diverse organisation. No two days have been the same since I started on the scheme last year; it’s been full of challenges, but really rewarding.

“It was great to meet Gerry; he was really interested in hearing about the work we’re doing at Yorkshire Water.”

Last year Yorkshire Water employed 15 new apprentices in various areas of the business including Communications, Leakage, Networks and IT.

The Yorkshire Water apprenticeship programme offers one to four years of structured learning, dependant on the role, in which we develop the skills and abilities of the apprentices for their future career. Throughout the duration of the programme apprentices are given a range of development opportunities through a college qualification, on the job technical training, coaching and behavioural learning modules.

Head of Communications, Michelle Lewis said: “As a large regional company it is really important for us to nurture and develop talent within Yorkshire. Bringing apprentices into our organisation is a great way for us to do this and shows a real commitment to helping young people fulfil their potential. “As a large regional company it is really important for us to nurture and develop talent within Yorkshire. Bringing apprentices into our organisation is a great way for us to do this and shows a real commitment to helping young people fulfil their potential.

“We have a challenging future ahead and our hope is that bringing in young talent like our apprentices will play a critical role in the future success of our business, allowing us to grow and make positive strides towards achieving our vision”.

Bradford South MP, Gerry Sutcliffe said: “Youth unemployment has rocketed over the last few years with Bradford South being hit particularly hard. It’s never been more difficult for young people to get onto the career ladder. Yorkshire Water is playing a leading role in addressing this problem, equipping young people with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their new career.

'Hugh' Couldn't Make It Up - Fat Busting Bugs Used To Clear Sewer Blockages

Hugh Bayley MP today visited a site in York to see how Yorkshire Water is deploying trillions of fat-busting bugs across the city to get rid of fat blockages and prevent pollution.

The MP for York Central saw the bugs in action at Castle Mills Waste Water Pumping Station - one of 26 known hot-spots around the city and surrounding areas where build-up of fat, oils and greases are causing repeated problems.

It works by using organically grown bacillus bacteria, which is commonly found in the human gut, to feast on the fat, oils and grease, with the bacteria being mixed with non-chlorinated water before being poured into the sewer.

Cooking fat, oils and grease get into the sewer from household drains, usually via the kitchen sink and appliances such as dishwashers. Over time, these substances build up on the inside of the sewer pipe and harden, reducing the flow capacity of the pipe and causing blockages, which can in worst case scenario's lead to sewers flooding people's homes and the environment.

In the last eight months, crews have attended 1,474 jobs in York to remove blockages in local sewers, with 266 jobs carried out in January alone. Last year, 32 tonnes of fat - the equivalent weight of four double decker buses - were removed from a sewer which ran along the river from Lendall Bridge to Skeldergate Bridge.

After seeing the bugs in action, Hugh Bayley MP commented: “It is just as important to carry away waste water efficiently as it is to supply clean water. Fat needs to be disposed of responsibly in sewers or at the sewage works, to ensure the quality of our drinking water.

"We need to keep our sewers clean and free from blockages and I commend Yorkshire Water for the innovative way in which they are tackling the problem. It is good to see new ideas in action, but we can all help by stopping fat getting in waste water in the first place.”

Fat-busting bugs were deployed by Yorkshire Water on a trial basis at a number of spots in the region over the festive period, but their use in York is the first time the company has launched a sustained programme of dosing in any one location.

Simon Young, stakeholder engagement manager comments: "Having your home filled with waste from your toilet is a very unpleasant experience which no one should ever have to suffer, which is why we work hard to encourage people to think twice before they pour left over fat down the plug hole or flush the odd make-up wipe down the toilet.

"This said, we've already carried out almost 1,500 jobs to remove blockages in our York sewers so far this year, which shows the sheer scale of the issue we all face.

"So whilst we continue to encourage customers to think before they pour things like fat down their sink, we're also looking at new and innovative approaches to tackling this age old problem to support current practices such as jetting sewers with a high pressure hose.

"The deployment of fat-busting bugs in our sewer network is an example of this, with these 'good' bacteria literally feasting on solidified fat in our sewer. And because these bacteria constantly multiply in the right environment, we can leave them to get on with their job in our sewers, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, without the need for regular dosing.

The company is also reminding customers to dispose of fat in an easy and environmentally friendly way by letting it cool and harden, before scraping it into a bin, or mixing it with other ingredients such as crushed unsalted peanuts to create bird feed at a time of year when birds particularly welcome it.

For more advice on what to do with your fat and to pick up free goodies to help you keep Yorkshire Water's sewers clean, visit yorkshirewater.com/dirty.
.