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Recycling and energy plant cuts water firms carbon footprint by 11 per cent

Phil Black - PII Editor 28/05/2014

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WATER giant United Utilities cut its carbon footprint by 11 per cent in the 12 months ending in March this year.

In 2013-14, its carbon dioxide equivalent was 449,042 tonnes.

The figures mean the Warrington-based water supplier has reduced its carbon emissions by 23 per cent since 2005-6.

In addition, the latest Environment Agency ‘eco-friendly table’ has put UU joint second out of the ten UK water and sewerage companies in 2012-13.

That was up from third the previous year.

The company has pledged to keep in the top 25 per cent in the medium term.

Company CEO Steve Mogford said: ‘The recent completion of our innovative, award winning, £100m+ recycling and energy plant at our Davyhulme wastewater site has contributed to our highest ever renewable energy production in 2013/14.

‘This represents c17% of our total electricity consumption, up from c13% last year, and has helped us avoid energy purchase costs of around £10 million, as well as attracting renewable incentives of around £5 million.

‘In addition, we have plans in place to further increase renewable energy production over the next few years.’