Case study: Impress Metals

Waterscan's surface water team secures £206,627 refund.

The background

Impress Metals provides global metal packaging solutions for consumer goods producing 10 billion cans per year. In 2007 Impress Metals instigated annual Operational Excellence audits including a comprehensive sustainability dimension. Water consumption was an area the company chose to focus on and in February 2008 Waterscan was contracted as their water efficiency specialists.

The solution

The Sutton in Ashfield site was of particular interest, whilst savings were identified on consumption issues the largest potential saving involved the surface water drainage charge. For years the site had been charged by Severn Trent Water on a band 21 charge at £42,172 (2008-2009 charging year). Waterscan's surface water specialist completed a thorough drain survey and discovered that the majority of the surface water drained to a natural watercourse with the remainder draining to the water company sewer. A detailed application was sent to Severn Trent certified by an RIBA qualified architect commissioned by Waterscan to ensure that the drawings complied fully with the water company's policy.

The outcome

The annual surface water charges were reduced to £1,668 resulting in an ongoing annual saving of £40,503. A refund of £206,627 was secured for overcharges relating to the previous six years.

A further Impress site has been identified, the site survey is complete and Waterscan is in the process of applying to the water company to reduce the waste volumetric charge.