The research into water supply by B & V Water Treatment forms part of a series of projects being undertaken by the firm, which is also working on a project with BBC Apprentice winner Tom Pellereau. In its latest study B & V aims to investigate how water wastage can be reduced and water portability improved in the UK and worldwide in line with population growth.

B & V’s project will be carried out by environmental chemist Yolla McCoy, who is undertaking a five year PhD at the University of Birmingham into Water Recycling in the Food and Beverage Industry, with the aim of assisting the industry in reducing water wastage, improving efficiency and lowering production costs.

According to B & V, demand on water resources in the UK is expected to increase as the number of households In England and Wales is forecast to grow by 4.4m by 2016.

B & V said: “Water is going to be less available in the future. The food and beverage industry is heavily reliant on water throughout its processes. In the UK around 430m litres of water are used a day in this sector.

“Under good water treatment regime and quality control a large percentage of this water can be reused even in areas where the water is in direct contact with the food. This is an opportunity that the UK can no longer afford to miss.”

Commenting on the project McCoy said: “Water is widely regarded as the most essential of natural resources, yet freshwater systems throughout the world are directly affected by human activities which are putting stress on water quality and availability,

“It is estimated that an extra 214m litres per day will be needed to supply these new households. With serious limitations to available water resources there is a need to investigate all possibilities to reduce water wastage.”

Carys Matthews

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