Food and Grocery Sector: Water Reduction Commitments factsheet

The food industry is a major water user. According to the Food Industry Sustainability Strategy (FISS) Champions’ Group on Water, the food industry uses an estimated 430 mega litres (one million litres) per day of public water supply, and directly abstracts around 260 mega litres of water a day, which equates to 10% of water abstracted by industry.

With the nation’s water resources coming under ever increasing pressure from growing public, commercial and industrial demand, there is a need for the industry to address the effects of its water consumption on national water security and scarcity, the impact on local wildlife habits and water quality.

Water scarcity is already an issue in the UK. Per person, the UK has less water available than most EU countries. Most of the south and east of England is already severely water stressed. Waterwise states that the ‘South East of England has less water available per person than the Sudan and Syria.’ This lack of water within the south of England has seen a reduction in the number of water abstraction licences issued during summer months.

Proposed targets by FISS

In May 2007, the FISS Strategy Champions’ Group on Water recommended that the ‘food industry should adopt an overall water reduction target of 20% by 2020 against a 2007 baseline, excluding water that forms part or all of the product.’

How industry has taken the initiative to reduce water consumption

The FISS recognised that there were many barriers standing between the food industry and achieving this target, primarily regarding the collection of accurate data. However, they did offer 10 action plans for industry to implement, with the help of government, to achieve this target - these can been seen in Annex 6 of the FISS Champions’ Group on Water.

Even with these barriers standing in the way of the industry achieving such targets, the food and grocery industry has risen to the challenge.

In October 2007, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) announced as part of its Five-fold Environmental Ambition that it would help its members make a significant reduction in water use by 2020.

In addition, the FDF and Envirowise have collaborated to increase water efficiency across the whole food and grocery sector. This partnership has led to the creation of the ‘Federation House Commitment’. The Commitment is free for all companies in the food and drink manufacturing sector to sign up to.

In light of recommendations proposed by the FISS Champions’ Group on Water, the Federation House Commitment has set a target of a 20% reduction in water use by 2020 compared to 2007 (this does not include water that forms the product).

What industry must do to comply

Businesses that sign up to the Federation House Commitment will be helped by getting priority access to Envirowise Services. To comply with the Envirowise programme businesses must commit to the following:

Within 3 months of making the commitment businesses must supply water use data for individual sites to Envirowise
Assess and review on-site water use by constructing a water balance sheet for each site
Within 6 months of making the commitment, develop a site-specific action plan to reduce water and costs
Deliver action plans, through an orderly programme of on-site developments
Annual reporting on water and cost savings

Savings to be made

According to the FISS Champions’ Group on Water, the food manufacturing sector annually spends around £300 million on water. With water being an essential part of the food manufacturing process there is a threat that, in times of limited supply, its value could increase considerably.

If the food manufacturing sector was to meet the 20% reduction target, FISS estimated that the sector would save around £60 million every year.

Envirowise has found that sites (which have not previously checked their water consumption) can usually achieve around 30% savings on water and effluent bills immediately, by implementing simple water management measures.

By using water saving nozzles on its container cleaning equipment, one drinks manufacturer saves an estimated £6,000 each year. The water saving nozzles paid for themselves in less than 10 weeks.