Water is a critically important resource, fundamental to both homes and businesses, but it is also a limited resource with water shortages becoming a global reality.
We see the impacts of climate change abroad and more recently in Ireland with periods of drought impacting on how we value and manage our water. Water conservation and water stewardship is becoming as important as reducing our energy use and moving to more sustainable practices.
Irish Water is working in partnership with businesses to safeguard our water supply now and into the future and has launched the ‘Irish Water Certified Water Stewardship Programme’ to provide water stewardship training for business customers in Westmeath.
The specialised training provides business owners with the knowledge and expertise to lower water consumption and reduce operating costs while protecting the environment. Small changes such as identifying water waste on site, setting a baseline for water use, raising awareness amongst staff and customers or upgrading to water efficient devices can help to save water and money.
The programme is an international best practice certification, accredited by the European Water Stewardship Standard (EWS ). The initiative is being implemented with the endorsement of key business stakeholder groups such as Ibec, IDA, Chambers Ireland, EPA, Origin Green, BIM and Enterprise Ireland.
The Dalata Hotel Group took part in the pilot programme and presented at the official launch.
“The Dalata Hotel Group would highly recommend the programme to other businesses as it is international best practice and it helped our hotel group to evaluate our water use and to make effective changes to protect the environment.
“The programme delivers the business case for taking action on water stewardship, water mapping of a business site, water saving opportunities and how to develop a strategy and agreed action plan.
“The launch of the Certified Water Stewardship Programme is the final step of three steps Irish Water has developed to support all types of businesses move to sustainable water management. We are proud to see businesses take the first step in taking the Water Conservation Pledge and following on with our free Online Water Conservation Training and finally enrolling and becoming a Certified Water Steward,” Michael McCann, Dalata Hotel Group, said.
Businesses can find out more information on the Water Conservation for Business Hub at www.water.ie
