Utilities experts from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) are already exceeding their Ministry of Defence ‘green’ targets to reduce water consumption on the UK military estate – conserving water resources and saving money for the taxpayer.
Under the Greening Government Commitment (GGC) targets, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is required to reduce water consumption across its estate from 2009/10 levels by 7% between 2010/11 and the end of 2014/15.
This means reducing consumption from 24,97 megalitres (Ml) to 23,23 Ml. By the end of 2013/14, consumption reduced by 8.6% to 22,83 Ml - some 1.6% more than the MOD’s target figure.
Some 95% of MOD sites get their water under DIO’s partnership with the private sector, known as Aquatrine. DIO has initiated a Water Consumption Reduction Programme (WCRP) on 150 sites which have been identified by Aquatrine as using high levels of water.
The programme will deliver a report for each site outlining current water performance and recommendations for implementation of water efficiency measures. In addition, Aquatrine Regional Representatives and DIO Area Utility Managers will support the introduction of a water behaviour strategy for each site.
Scheduled to run until the end of 2016, WCRP will also monitor and demonstrate the proposed cost savings. The programme should reduce consumption by eliminating unnecessary wastage.
Chris Boulton, DIO Water Resources and Demand Manager, said:
“Reducing water consumption is a major focus within DIO as it offers the potential to make large savings to the taxpayer against the MOD’s utilities budget and help to conserve this precious resource."
“DIO’s Aquatrine PMO and Utilities teams are working hard to reduce water use by improving water efficiency to eliminate wastage, as well as educating staff on what they can do to help.”
He added that new estate management contracts procured under DIO’s Next Generation Estate Contracts (NGEC) programme would play a key role in achieving value for money, as they would maintain water efficiency units implemented as a result of the WCRP..
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