The works form part of the airport’s on-going water strategy, which saw it invest more than £500,000 last year to monitor, maintain and reduce leaks at the site. It achieved the saving in 2011, against a 2010 baseline, and is planning on releasing its new five-year water strategy later this year.

This is in line with a call from government for businesses to reduce water usage following a recent Environment (EA) report which revealed that the south east is now in drought.

As part of the works, a programme of surveying was carried out by survey contractor Aquatech Engineering to help locate leaks, enabling the airport to carry out repairs to its 10 mile drinking water pipe network across its 957 hectare site.

The inspection of the water pipe network was conducted using hi-tech instruments which listen for any noise produced by leaking water, enabling the leak’s location to be found so repairs to replace and upgrade the defective pipework can be undertaken.

London Stansted Airport head of planning & sustainability Dr Andy Jefferson, said: “We are very aware the airport sits within one of the driest areas of the UK, so it’s vital we do all we can to help reduce water consumption and protect availability.

“Working alongside the Environment Agency and Veolia Central and with the help of our specialist contractor, we have committed over £500,000 this year alone to continue monitoring, maintaining and improving our water network at the airport.”

Carys Matthews

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