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Edinburgh Reporter
12 hours ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Savings on water charges pour in for public sector
Water firm's long-standing partnership continues to deliver benefits. Scotland's public sector has saved more than £3million in water costs in the past financial year. The significant savings have been delivered within the first year of a renewed framework partnership with one of the UK's leading water retailers, which continues to help major organisations including the NHS, Police Scotland and local authorities. Edinburgh-based water retailer, Business Stream, has confirmed the savings milestone as part of its ongoing delivery under the Scottish Government's Water and Waste Water Services Framework, a contract worth in excess of £240million. Under the previous four-year framework contract (2020-2024) with Business Stream, Scotland's public sector saved over £8.9million, and delivered a 4.6million reduction in cubic metres of water and reduced carbon emissions through a raft of leak detection and water efficiency services. Jo Dow, Chief Executive of Business Stream, said: 'We're committed to working in partnership with Scotland's public sector to deliver long-term, sustainable savings. By providing value-added services with a key focus on water efficiency, we're continuing to drive down costs and support the sector to achieve their environmental targets.' The water retailer's focus on value-added services has helped public sector bodies embrace a more environmentally conscious approach to resource use. Through a combination of smart monitoring, tailored water efficiency planning and a rapid response to identify and repair leaks, in the past year Business Stream has supported reductions in energy consumption equating to more than 530 tonnes of CO₂e. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Business Stream has continued to deliver financial and environmental benefits to the public sector in Scotland by identifying water-saving opportunities, reducing emissions, and delivering financial saving. These savings not only reduce costs but also contribute to the sector's net zero agenda.' The savings come in the wake of Business Stream's decision to double its annual Water Efficiency Fund to £100,000 – a move designed to further support public sector organisations to make environmental upgrades. Established in 2020, the annual fund supports a diverse range of water saving projects, from conservation audits to infrastructure upgrades in schools, museums, hospitals and local authority facilities across Scotland. Projects delivered in recent months include improved plumbing systems in NHS facilities, smart monitoring devices for local councils, and targeted audits across National Museums Scotland. The Water Efficiency Fund is just one of a wide range of initiatives introduced by Business Stream since launching its vision to Make a Positive Difference (MAPD) in 2019 – a purpose-led approach to delivering positive impact for its customers, people, the environment and its local communities. Jo Dow Chief Executive Business Stream Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
a day ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Record savings pour in for Scotland's public sector
Water firm's long-standing partnership continues to deliver millions in benefits Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland's public sector has saved over £3million in water costs in the past financial year. The significant savings have been delivered within the first year of a renewed framework partnership with one of the UK's leading water retailers, which continues to help major organisations including the NHS, Police Scotland and local authorities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Edinburgh-based water retailer, Business Stream, has confirmed the £3million savings milestone as part of its ongoing delivery under the Scottish Government's Water and Waste Water Services Framework, a contract worth in excess of £240million. Business Stream chief Executive, Jo Dow Under the previous four-year framework contract (2020-2024) with Business Stream, Scotland's public sector saved over £8.9million, and delivered a 4.6million reduction in cubic metres of water and reduced carbon emissions through a raft of leak detection and water efficiency services. Jo Dow, Chief Executive of Business Stream, said: 'We're committed to working in partnership with Scotland's public sector to deliver long-term, sustainable savings. By providing value-added services with a key focus on water efficiency, we're continuing to drive down costs and support the sector to achieve their environmental targets.' The water retailer's focus on value-added services has helped public sector bodies embrace a more environmentally conscious approach to resource use. Through a combination of smart monitoring, tailored water efficiency planning and a rapid response to identify and repair leaks, in the past year Business Stream has supported reductions in energy consumption equating to more than 530 tonnes of CO₂e. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Business Stream has continued to deliver financial and environmental benefits to the public sector in Scotland by identifying water-saving opportunities, reducing emissions, and delivering financial saving. These savings not only reduce costs but also contribute to the sector's net zero agenda.' The savings come in the wake of Business Stream's decision to double its annual Water Efficiency Fund to £100,000 – a move designed to further support public sector organisations to make environmental upgrades. Established in 2020, the annual fund supports a diverse range of water saving projects, from conservation audits to infrastructure upgrades in schools, museums, hospitals and local authority facilities across Scotland. Projects delivered in recent months include improved plumbing systems in NHS facilities, smart monitoring devices for local councils, and targeted audits across National Museums Scotland.
Scotsman
a day ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Record savings pour in for Scotland's public sector
Water firm's long-standing partnership continues to deliver millions in benefits Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland's public sector has saved over £3million in water costs in the past financial year. The significant savings have been delivered within the first year of a renewed framework partnership with one of the UK's leading water retailers, which continues to help major organisations including the NHS, Police Scotland and local authorities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Edinburgh-based water retailer, Business Stream, has confirmed the £3million savings milestone as part of its ongoing delivery under the Scottish Government's Water and Waste Water Services Framework, a contract worth in excess of £240million. Business Stream, Chief Executive Jo Dow Under the previous four-year framework contract (2020-2024) with Business Stream, Scotland's public sector saved over £8.9million, and delivered a 4.6million reduction in cubic metres of water and reduced carbon emissions through a raft of leak detection and water efficiency services. Jo Dow, Chief Executive of Business Stream, said: 'We're committed to working in partnership with Scotland's public sector to deliver long-term, sustainable savings. By providing value-added services with a key focus on water efficiency, we're continuing to drive down costs and support the sector to achieve their environmental targets.' The water retailer's focus on value-added services has helped public sector bodies embrace a more environmentally conscious approach to resource use. Through a combination of smart monitoring, tailored water efficiency planning and a rapid response to identify and repair leaks, in the past year Business Stream has supported reductions in energy consumption equating to more than 530 tonnes of CO₂e. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Business Stream has continued to deliver financial and environmental benefits to the public sector in Scotland by identifying water-saving opportunities, reducing emissions, and delivering financial saving. These savings not only reduce costs but also contribute to the sector's net zero agenda.' The savings come in the wake of Business Stream's decision to double its annual Water Efficiency Fund to £100,000 – a move designed to further support public sector organisations to make environmental upgrades. Established in 2020, the annual fund supports a diverse range of water saving projects, from conservation audits to infrastructure upgrades in schools, museums, hospitals and local authority facilities across Scotland. Projects delivered in recent months include improved plumbing systems in NHS facilities, smart monitoring devices for local councils, and targeted audits across National Museums Scotland. The Water Efficiency Fund is just one of a wide range of initiatives introduced by Business Stream since launching its vision to Make a Positive Difference (MAPD) in 2019 – a purpose-led approach to delivering positive impact for its customers, people, the environment and its local communities.
Scotsman
08-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Water retailer launches feelgood tariffs
Scottish businesses are being offered the chance to divert water bill savings towards food banks or nature restoration projects, through new 'feelgood' tariffs. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Leading water retailer Business Stream has launched the new offering, with plans to expand the programme over the coming months to its customer base in England, helping to raise significant sums for good causes. Early response to an initial 3-month pilot run last year was promising, with 65 business sites who renewed in Scotland signing up, highlighting a growing trend among companies to align their purchasing decisions with broader ethical considerations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad These tariffs enable customers to redirect a 2% tariff discount to support local food waste projects by redistributing surplus food to charities with FareShare or landscape restoration with Ecologi, with Business Stream matching this contribution. Jo Dow, Chief Executive of Business Stream Jo Dow, Chief Executive at Business Stream, said: 'Our feelgood tariffs are about more than just water savings, they represent a commitment to making a tangible difference to local communities and the environment we all depend on. 'The fact that businesses are already adopting these tariffs is a clear sign that our customers value a partnership that goes beyond the basics. We're proud to match their contributions to help make a lasting impact.' In collaboration with FareShare, the "Naturally Share" tariff directs funds to redistribute surplus food to those in need within the local area, while also helping to reduce food waste. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kirsty Ford, Head of Fundraising at FareShare said: 'We are so grateful to Business Stream for their support for FareShare. Donations through the 'Naturally Share' tariff will help us get good-to-eat food to the people who need it rather than going to waste. Every day, the food we redistribute to a network of over 8,000 charities in every region helps to strengthen communities. From homelessness shelters and afterschool clubs to refuges and older people's lunch clubs, these groups are all working harder than ever. 'The generous support of Business Stream and their customers is instrumental in helping charities unite more people through food to form connections and access essential support services. Thank you for helping FareShare make the food go further.' The "Naturally Care" tariff, in partnership with Ecologi, the UK's most trusted climate action brand, supports the regeneration of UK woodlands, helping to combat biodiversity loss. This option complements the partnership Business Stream has already developed with the climate action specialists to invest in nature-based projects. Ecologi's UK based rewilding projects include restoration of peatlands, heathland, woodland and wildflower meadows. Dimitri Theocharis, CEO at Ecologi said: 'Nature restoration and forest protection plays a crucial role in tackling biodiversity loss, so it's fantastic to see Business Stream empowering their customers to make a real impact. By redirecting tariff discounts to support vital rewilding and habitat restoration projects, they are directly contributing to the restoration of the UK's natural landscapes. This includes protecting wetlands, woodlands and wildflower meadows which are critical for both biodiversity and carbon storage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This initiative not only improves local ecosystems but also sets a powerful example to the utilities sector, demonstrating how businesses can incorporate reforestation and restoration initiatives as a meaningful part of their sustainability efforts. We're excited to be a part of this journey and look forward to seeing the positive change it brings.' 'Naturally Fair', a third tariff option, reassures customers that they will get the lowest possible tariff at Business Stream. Business Stream's driving vision is to make a positive difference to its customers, its people, the environment, and local communities. Since its vision was launched six years ago, the company has introduced over 35 new initiatives which align with its sustainability goals and achieved a Gold rating through EcoVadis, the world's largest sustainability assessment platform.
