NI Water has teamed up with the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI) and the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR) to launch a leaflet on how businesses can conserve water.

The leaflet also includes information for businesses on how to protect properties against the threat of frozen pipes bursting during the winter.

In January 2011 a single burst pipe in a vacant business property lost over 30 million litres of water, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) – enough to make 120 million cups of tea.

The minister for regional development Danny Kennedy said: “Everyone has a responsibility to use water wisely and prepare for the winter months.

“By taking just a few minutes to look at this advice on how to use water more economically and by taking some simple steps to avoid burst pipes, businesses could function more efficiently, save on operational costs, and help the environment.”

NIAUR welcomed NI Water’s launch of the leaflet, claiming the efficient use of water was central to the development of a sustainable water industry in Northern Ireland.

NIAUR’s Paul Stewart said: “It will help to reduce waste, reduce the impact on the environment, defer the need for additional investment and minimise costs for NI Water and its consumers.

“By reducing water consumption, business consumers can reduce their water and sewerage bills, while also reducing the amount of energy used to heat water. We would encourage all consumers to use water wisely.”

Conor McGlone

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