Challenge to reduce water waste

25/06/2007

Residents in Essex are being invited to take part in a novel water-saving competition.

The competition, ‘How low can you go?’ will put teams of residents against one another in a competition to reduce water wastage.

Essex & Suffolk Water (ESW) operates in the driest region of the country and is always keen to encourage residents to use water wisely.

The company is inviting households in the Essex supply area to take up the ‘How low can you go?’ challenge.  Two teams will be formed and given expert advice from ESW and Lancaster University as to how they can reduce their water consumption.

The challenge, which will start in September and last for three months, is being run in collaboration with Lancaster University researchers Dr Will Medd and Dr Heather Chappells.

The contest builds on the idea of the Blakildegard experiment in Denmark, in which a competition was held between two groups of people who reduced their water consumption by around 20 per cent during the contest.

The most successful team will win individual prizes and a £1,000 donation from Essex & Suffolk Water will be split between two environmental charities – one chosen by each team.

Megan Rogers from the demand planning department at Essex & Suffolk Water said: “This competition should be good fun for the people taking part. We hope it will enable people to share ideas about water saving and help us all learn how to make some permanent changes”

If you are ready for the challenge contact Megan Rogers at Essex & Suffolk Water - Tel. 01245 212 854.

Ends

For further details contact Claire Bishop at Essex & Suffolk Water - Tel. 01245 212 010 or Will Medd at Lancaster University - Tel. 01524 593 757.

Notes for editors
Dr. Will Medd is a Lecturer in the Department of Geography and associate in the Centre for Sustainable Water Management, Lancaster University.  He specialises in the social aspects of sustainable water management.
Essex & Suffolk Water (ESW) supplies water to 1.7 million customers in Essex and Suffolk. ESW recognises the need to remain at the forefront of research and development. Research projects are carried out on a continual basis with the aim of gaining a better understanding of water use within the supply area and to aid the demand forecasting. It is essential that ESW understands fully the way in which its consumers, both commercial and domestic, use their water.