July 2009

Business Stream, Scotland’s main non-domestic water supplier has today unveiled figures showing how it has helped its customers use significantly less water since it was created in 2006. 

The company, which is the leading supplier of water and waste water services to businesses in Scotland, says it delivered consumption reduction savings of over £5.5m, much of this coming since the non-domestic market opened to competition in April 2008. This equates to approximately 2.8 billion litres, enough to fill 1120 Olympic sized swimming pools.

The figures are being unveiled on the day that Water Saving Week is being launched for the first time in Scotland, an event which aims to highlight the environmental and economic benefits of saving water across households and businesses.

Business Stream chief executive Mark Powles said: “One of our key aims is to work proactively with customers to help them reduce their overall water consumption. Along with the economic savings that this can generate, there is a huge environmental benefit to this approach which has been a key priority for Business Stream.

Commenting on Water Saving Week, Mr Powles said: “We welcome any initiative which further promotes the concept of water conservation. This is a key aspect of environmental sustainability and it is vital that we all do what we can to reduce consumption wherever possible.” 

(ENDS)

Notes to editor

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Scottish Water, Business Stream has been formed as an arms-length company with its own board and independent management team. Its goal is to provide a first class service for business customers and respond to the challenge of other established utility companies entering the new, competitive market that opened on 1 April 2008.

Under the Water Services etc. (Scotland) Act 2005, Scottish Water had to split its operation into wholesale (Scottish Water) and retail (Business Stream) units. Although ostensibly remaining a part of Scottish Water, Business Stream is a new business working completely independently in order to ensure fair and transparent retail practice under the rules of the new competitive marketplace for business customers. Further information available at: www.business-stream.co.uk

Issued on behalf of Business Stream by The BIG Partnership

For more information, contact: Bill Shaw on 0131 555 5522 or Stephen McCranor on 0141 333 9585