At Bristol Water it is our policy to:

Demonstrate a strong commitment to the sustainable management of our water resources.

Recognise our general duty to care for the environment and to seek to avoid adverse impacts both in the area in which we operate and indirect impacts elsewhere.

Pledge ourselves to the management of our reservoirs and land in ways which achieve positive gains both for wildlife and people.

While recognising the need for cost-effectiveness in all our activities, we aim to achieve these policies through the specific commitments given below:

• To obtain water for public supply from all suitable sources in compliance with abstraction licences.
• At water sources where an adverse environmental aspect has been identified, to co-operate with the Environment Agency in seeking to minimise the impact.
• To continue to combat leakage both from our mains and customers’ pipes, with the aim of keeping leakage down to the agreed economic level.
• To encourage all our customers to use water wisely through educational and information programmes and by setting a good example at our own premises.
• To provide a clean, safe and reliable supply of water to our customers, thus enhancing their environment, and to ensure compliance with the stringent quality standards set by Government and the European Union.
• As development opportunities occur, to adopt water treatment processes which embody good environmental practice by making use of the most appropriate technology currentl available. During treatment, to minimise the use of chemicals, without compromising the effectiveness of the process and not to modify natural characteristics such as hardness or fluoride concentrations, unless required to do so by law on public health grounds.
• To ensure all effluents we produce meet their consent conditions, which are set to ensure they do not pollute surface or ground waters or the atmosphere.
• Wherever operationally possible, to undertake our day-to-day work in ways which minimise noise, nuisance and environmental damage.
• To understand and assess the risks associated with any potential environmental impact and to ensure that these risks are mitigated and managed through appropriate management systems and contingency plans.
• To use energy wisely by good design and maintenance of buildings and plant and by seeking continual improvement in efficiency.
• To operate our vehicles so as to minimise fuel consumption and the emission of polluting gases and to encourage staff to reduce their use of cars and increase their use of less polluting means of transport.
• To reduce the amount of waste we produce, to send appropriate materials for recycling and to use recycled products or products with low environmental production costs which prove suitable for our needs.
• On the land and reservoirs we own, to maintain and improve habitats for wildlife so as to further the conservation of the natural environment and to preserve biodiversity.
• To protect and conserve buildings and sites of historic or architectural interest and, through careful design and maintenance, to ensure buildings, structures and signs harmonise with local landscapes.
• To minimise the use of pesticides and herbicides and only to use non- persistent types.
• To provide the best possible recreation for people at our reservoirs and other suitable sites in ways which maintain the optimum balance between recreation and wildlife conservation.

Overall responsibility for achieving our environmental policy lies with the Managing Director of Bristol Water plc. Senior managers have specific responsibility for ensuring the policy is put into practice in the areas for which they are responsible. The Environment Committee is responsible for highlighting areas where improvements can be made and for advising on how the Company can meet environmental performance targets.

The Environment Committee seeks the support of all staff by keeping them fully informed and involved; also, by enlisting enthusiasts to ‘drive’ local projects and to suggest ideas.

Our environmental policy and information on the progress we make in achieving objectives are made freely available to all.