What's next for farmers?

Like all other businesses, farms are facing higher utility bills, and unfortunately water is no exception. Farmers Weekly recently warned farmers that water prices are likely to rise in April. It is therefore vital that farmers find ways of saving water in order to minimise their costs as much as possible.

In this blog we explore ways in which farmers can increase water efficiency on their farms and save money on utility bills.

Switch your business water supplier

Since 2017, businesses in England have been able to shop around for their water supplier in the same way that we can shop around for domestic gas and electricity suppliers. By switching your business water supplier, you could instantly save money - up to 20% on your current bill. And you don’t need to worry about the amount of administration this could create, because we’ll take care of that for you.

Implement water efficiency measures

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to start making water efficiencies. Measures as simple as fixing dripping taps can make a huge difference. Did you know that a dripping tap will waste, on average, over 60 litres of water every week? If you have more than one dripping tap on your farm, it all adds up.

There are many more efficiencies to be made. As a first step, download our free Water Efficiency Guide. Our helpful guide includes quick wins, and long-term measures that you can implement to save water and save money. This could include diverting grey water to use for flushing toilets, washing down the yard or watering crops - any efficiency measures implemented will also reduce wastewater costs too. Depending on how much water your farm is potentially wasting, you could get a return on your investment within a year.

Monitor water usage to detect leaks

If something as seemingly innocuous as a dripping tap can waste more than 60 litres a week, imagine how much a leaking pipe could be wasting and what that will be costing your business. We help our customers detect and repair leaks, saving them significant amounts of money in the process. The quickest way to monitor your business water usage is to submit monthly meter readings, this way, you’ll be able to spot inconsistencies in your usage.

The easiest way to do this is to install an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) device. AMR is a remote reading device that is attached to your existing water meter which regularly submits accurate meter reads for you. The device provides you with regular water usage reports which will help ensure that you are not paying more than necessary for your water.

Create your own reservoir

One of the ways in which you can ensure a big enough water supply for your farm is to build your own reservoir. By collecting water at times of the year when it’s plentiful, you will have enough to keep your crops watered during the drier months. Climate change is having a profound effect on the supply of water, and without precautionary measures, London and the South East could reach ‘Day Zero’ - possibly in the next 30 years. Day Zero is where there is a greater demand for water than there is potable water available and strict rationing would be required.

Creating a reservoir on your farm will be a step towards future-proofing your business at the same time as protecting UK food production. The first step is to contact the Environment Agency for free advice. Depending on the size and location of your reservoir, you may not even need planning permission. And under the Rural Development Programme there are grants available to help with the installation costs. There are also tax benefits available, which will increase the value of your farm.

How we are helping Scottish farmers

We believe that a great service should save you both money and time. That’s why we’ve optimised our solutions for simplicity and efficiency, so you can spend more time where you’re needed most.

With our specialist team on your side, you can better manage your water services to reduce costs, improve yields and bolster profitability, without being pulled from the core elements of your business. With fair pricing, a smooth switching process, straightforward Consolidated Billing, simple online tools, support to improve sustainability, and specialised Agriculture Wastewater Treatment Services, we have everything you need get the most from your water services. Click here to find out more.