Environment Minister praises water efficiency projects

10/02/2006

The Minister for the Environment, Elliot Morley, has praised Essex & Suffolk Water for two of its water efficiency projects in Essex.

During a visit yesterday, the Minister visited the Langford Recycling Plant, near Maldon, which recycles wastewater to increase water availability during peak periods.

The plant, which opened in 2004, is the first of its kind in the UK. It uses state-of-the-art technology to reclaim wastewater from Anglian Water that would otherwise be piped into the Blackwater Estuary. The water is abstracted and treated before being taken by pipeline to Hanningfield Reservoir, near Chelmsford, where it is treated again before being put into drinking water supply.

Mr Morley also visited a household in Heybridge which is one of 12 homes in the area to be fitted with water efficient appliances.

The homes were built in 1998 as part of a water efficiency project commissioned by Essex & Suffolk Water.

Homeowner Sarah Carter showed Mr Morley the various water-saving appliances in the property which included reduced flow taps, a reduced volume bath and a low flush toilet. Fitting these water-saving devices in a new house would only cost less than £50.

A reduced volume bath holds 150 litres compared to180 litres for a standard bath and the flow rate of a reduced flow tap is less than 5 litres a minute compared to 10 litres a minute on a standard tap.

John Devall, Water and Networks Director at Essex & Suffolk Water said: “We were delighted to welcome the Minister to Essex. He believes we are the leading company for dealing with a dry climate through innovative solutions on water efficiency and resource development.”

For further information contact Claire Bishop on 01245 212 010.