The Waterwise Project

Infobox Non-profit
Non-profit_name = The Waterwise Project
Non-profit_
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Non-profit_type = Not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation
founded_date = September 2005
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location_city =
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location = London, United Kingdom
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focus = Sustainable water consumption and water efficiency
method = Campaigning, influencing policy, research, consultancy
revenue = £300,000 (excluding projects, consultancy, and sponsorship)
num_volunteers =
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homepage = [http://www.waterwise.org.uk/ www.waterwise.org.uk]
dissolved =
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The Waterwise Project is an independent not-for-profit, non-governmental organization promoting water efficiency and conservation based in London, UK.

The organization is focused on decreasing water consumption in the UK by 2010 and on building a robust evidence base for large-scale water efficiency projects. Waterwise is the UK’s water “efficiency champion” – “reaching the parts others cannot reach, and transform [ing] the concept of water resource efficiency into something compelling for consumers and business users.” [ [http://www.water.org.uk/home/policy/source/source-2006/source-final.pdf Walter Menzies, Chief Executive, Mersey Basin Campaign] ] They are considered to be the leading authority on water efficiency in the UK. [ [http://www.newconsumer.com/news/item/get_water_wise_on_world_water_day/ New Consumer Magazine] ]

Founding and Aims

Waterwise was established due to concerns of waters shortage and the upward trend in how much water is consumed in the UK. Factors that were taken into account were: current drought situation, geographical and climatological circumstances, consumer tendencies, available resources, and future prospects of supply. The following examples, situations, and comparisons were contemplated:

*England has less rainfall than some North African countries.
*Southern England has experienced one of the driest winters and spring periods since 1904
*Low river flows and groundwater levels across Southern England have resulted in environmental problems
*Groundwater levels are falling and this is particularly so in the chalk aquifers which are very important to Southern England.
*There have been demographic and social changes: modern lifestyles result in a greater demand for water. There has also been an increase in smaller size households that use proportionally more water.
*Climate and global warming, as predicted by the UKCIP, is forecast to result in a deficit in soil moisture. This means that agriculture will compete with the water industry for increasingly scarce resources. [ [http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/WaterUK.pdf WaterUK report to Select Committee of Parliament] ]

In 2006, all 26 UK water companies decided to establish an independent organisation which would promote water efficiency. [ [http://www.water.org.uk/home/news/press-releases/waterwise-launch Water UK] ] In September 2006, The Waterwise Project was launched to build an evidence base and economic case for water efficiency in the UK. [ [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmhansrd.htm House of Commons, Early Day Motion, Water Efficiency, 26 October 2005] ] In England, the organisation sits on the Environment Minister’s Water Saving Group, alongside the water industry and regulators. [ [http://www.defra.gov.uk/Environment/water/conserve/wsg/index.htm Water Saving Group, Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs] ] . [4] It was established with the stance that the key to water efficiency is reducing waste, not restricting use. [ [http://www.forester.net/we_news_011907_wwise.html Water Efficiency Journal] ]

Waterwise has an independent Board, which is drawn from the government, regulators, academia, business, other organisations, and from the water industry. The board meets four times a year and is responsible for overseeing Waterwise’s activities and its strategic direction.

Waterwise's present remit runs until September 2010. Its aim is to have decreased per capita consumption in the UK by that time and to have built a strong social, political, and economic case for water efficiency.

Audience and Partners

Waterwise works with all sectors of society to promote water efficiency and the wise use of water. To achieve their aims they work with key partners in water companies, governments (local, regional, and national), regulators, farmers, communities, businesses, civil society organisations, manufacturers, retailers, press and media, and individual consumers.

Activities and Events

Waterwise participates in and leads various projects and events in order to complete their objectives:

*Waterwise hosts the only annual Water Efficiency Conference in the UK on 8-9 April. The conference brings together policymakers, doers, and thinkers to learns about and further discuss issues related to water efficiency.
*Waterwise also runs the Waterwise Marque, founded in October 2006 and first awarded in 2007. [ [http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=29916&d=254&h=0&f=0 Marketing Week, 'Water Marque' scheme aims to aid product marketing] ] The Marque is awarded annually to water using products which promote water efficiency or reduce water wastage. It is the first award scheme of its kind in the UK and aims to empower consumers to make water wise buys.

*Waterwise works closely with Government departments and regulators in developing policy to further water efficiency. [ [http://www.defra.gov.uk/Environment/water/resources/research/index.htm A report to Defra Reviewing International Models of External Water Use Restrictions, as one example of Waterwise's policy work] ]
*Waterwise teams with UK water companies, universities, local governments, and builders to conduct large-scale water efficiency projects, workshops, and programmes. These projects range from water audits to domestic retrofit schemes to university lectures. [ [http://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/cpd/env/courses/social.asp Using Water Wisely: How to Change Consumer Behaviour, University of Oxford] ]
*Waterwise convenes The Saving Water in Scotland network which brings together key figures in Scotland to discuss and advance water efficiency. [ [http://www.waterbriefing.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=489&Itemid=51 Saving Water in Scotland network draw up action plan to guard against future water shortages, waterbriefing.org] ]
*Waterwise also provides households, businesses, media, and the government with information on water in the UK and with assistance on water saving. [ [http://www.diyweek.net/news/news.asp?id=10392&title=B%26Q+and+Waterwise+team+up+to+save+water Water/B&Q Water Efficiency Campaign, an example of teaming up with business] ]
*Waterwise has ranked all current UK models of dishwashers and washing machines according to water efficiency. [ [http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Energyandwatersaving/DG_064370 DirectGov Greener Living] ] . They are working on rankings for showers, toilets, and taps.
*Waterwise also conducts research related to international water ecolabels, embedded water, water and climate change, and other various other research projects. [ [http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20070320-The-Water-Diet.html The Crikey Water Diet, based on Waterwise research on embedded water] ]
*Waterwise is part of the Blueprint for Water coalition which has laid out a ten step plan for sustainable water. [ [http://www.blueprintforwater.org.uk/ The Blueprint for Water] ] The coalition is composed of Waterwise, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-UK), Salmon and Trout Association, The Wildlife Trusts, The National Trust, Association of Rivers Trust, Anglers’ Conservation Association, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, and The Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust.

ee also

Water conservation

Waterwise is also the registered name of an Australian company - Waterwise Systems Australia Pty. Ltd. [http://www.waterwisesystems.com Waterwise Systems] provides complete greywater diversion systems for irrigation of domestic gardens.

References

External links

* [http://www.waterwise.org.uk/ Waterwise] Provides information on water in the UK, water efficiency, and water saving tips for households and business.
* [http://www.blueprintforwater.org.uk/ The Blueprint for Water] 10 steps for sustainable water in England by 2015.
* [http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/conserve/wsg/index.htm/ Water Saving Group] UK Government led high level group promoting collaborative work on water efficiency.
* [http://www.water.org.uk/ Water UK] The industry association that represents all UK water and wastewater service suppliers at the UK and European levels.