Environmental sustainability
Environmental Challenges
Energy use and carbon emissions
Each year there is upward pressure on energy use arising from investment in new assets and in treatment processes required to meet higher drinking water and environmental standards.
In order to meet the European Bathing Water Directive we have to intensively treat waste water effluent before discharge. 60 of our coastal treatment works have ultra violet disinfection, which operates all year round and consequently uses high levels of energy.
Due to the topography of the South West region, it is necessary to pump water long distances and up steep gradients. Our 235 water pumping stations have to overcome an average lift of 135m. This is amongst the highest in the industry.