Care of the environment is central to our business as Biwater Treatment is committed to sustainable development and corporate responsibility. Our objective is therefore to carry out our business in such a manner as to minimise the effect on the environment whilst continuing to provide value to our customers.

The company’s values for environment, taken from the Strategic Business Plan 2008/09 are to:
• Minimise environmental impact;
• Reduce production of waste;
• Seek the most sustainable solutions;
• Consider the environment at work and at home;
• Use energy and resources efficiently.

Policy Statements

Environment

Waste Minimisation

Carbon Reduction

Best Practice Case Studies

Islay Schemes – Working in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Market Bosworth – Construction of an artificial otter holt

Wichling – Working alongside bat roosts

Monkmoor – Conservation improvements

Wanlip - Environmental Case Study

Environmental Management
Biwater Treatment has an Environmental Management System (EMS) which has been accredited to ISO14001, since April 2004, and is audited externally every six months to ensure continual compliance and improvement.

The EMS covers all ‘activities including and associated with project management, including design, procurement, construction and commissioning of projects typically for the water industry’. Also covered are ‘activities including and associated with the internal plant hire business for the procurement, maintenance and refurbishment of lifting equipment, temporary accommodation and ancillary equipment for Biwater Treatment construction sites.’

All construction projects require a site specific Environmental Management Plan. This is completed prior to starting on site and covers all the main issues including water management, hazardous chemicals, contaminated land, waste management, wildlife, archaeology, plant and vehicles, noise and vibration, and air pollution. Advice and assistance is provided by the QSE Department to all employees and construction sites with regular visits allowing greater communication, management and assessment of the EMS implementation.

Waste Minimisation
Biwater is committed to following the Waste Hierarchy: in order of priority, to eliminate, reduce, re-use, recycle and recover. Biwater’s objectives include:
• Eliminating waste through the use of efficient design;
• Reducing waste by re-using existing structures thereby minimising the consumption of resources and maximising the use of recycled materials;
• Re-using waste produced on and off site in line with national and local legislation;
• Recycling where local facilities are available.

Site Waste Management Plans are completed for all projects with a value of over £300,000 and the quantities of waste produced are monitored and compared with previous year’s figures in order to benchmark and set new targets.

Carbon Reduction
Biwater’s objective is to carry out our business in such a manner as to take into account the potential effects of climate change, assist clients’ in meeting their objectives and to adapt our operations for now and in the future.
Biwater assesses the Whole Life Cost of large projects and takes into consideration the energy efficiency of plant, use of resources and material selection.

Biwater calculates the annual company carbon footprint. Over 2006 – 2008 the carbon footprint consisted of:
• Direct Emissions from gas usage at Head Office, air conditioning fugitive emissions plus emissions from Biwater ownership scheme cars and hire cars used on company business.
• Indirect Emissions from electricity purchased for use at Head Office and employee travel by air and trains in connection with business travel.
In 2007/08 tax year there has been approximately 25% decrease on the tonnes of CO2 produced per £100,000 based upon 2006/07 figures.

In September 2009 Biwater Treatment's carbon footprint for 2008/09 achieved CEMARS^TM certification for our organisational carbon footprint. Through the Achilles Carbon Reduction Programme, the CEMARS^TM (Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme) method was applied which is compliant with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO14064-1. This covered a much greater scope than was calculated in previous years.

In 2008/09 Biwater Treatment produced 2,942 tonnes of carbon dioxide which equates to 4.08 tonnes CO2 per £100,000 turnover. Based on this figure Biwater Treatment have a target to reduce our carbon footprint by 10% over the next two tax years (09/10 and 10/11). The main GHG emission sources to reduce are the transportation of staff through the company fleet and use of employees’ own cars and the fuel used for the plant and equipment on our construction sites. For further information on Biwater’s footprint refer to the CEMARS^TM Disclosure Statement.

John Abraham, Managing Director, commented, “Biwater Treatment is dedicated to finding innovative solutions that reduce our Carbon Footprint. In driving forward the company’s carbon reduction strategy we are committed to incorporating sustainable techniques in all that we do. The CEMARS certification acknowledges our corporate strategy for carbon reduction and provides verification by an independent third party for our clients.”

To encourage our employees to reduce their carbon footprint, fact sheets have been produced and the internal intranet specifically for the environment includes an ‘Environment at Home’ section. The factsheets are now available here:

Energy Efficiency at Home

Reduce Water Use at Home

Green Shopping