Suffolk business water group set up “to lobby, inform and encourage shared solutions”

Responding to growing water use restrictions on non-domestic properties and their potential negative impact on businesses’ investment and job creation plans across the county, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has successfully launched the Suffolk Business Water Group with the aim of better preparing organisations to adapt.

Backed by the two water wholesalers operating in the area – Anglian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water – the Group is made up of companies in the soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, leisure, manufacturing and agricultural sectors – plus Freeport East, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and a senior planning officer.

Suffolk Chamber has been actively representing members impacted by the requirement in the Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 that non-domestic water usage must decrease by 9% by 2038. It hosted the Suffolk Water Summit last year which successfully brought together water companies and users to better map out how they should work together to raise awareness of these restrictions and learn from each other as to how to better use their water supplies.

Paul Simon, Suffolk Chamber’s head of public affairs said: “This Group is the direct result of the Suffolk Water Summit. It provides an honest and informed forum for companies to share concerns and best practice and to work with the water companies to lobby for additional help from other stakeholders to help the transition to a lower water use economy – especially important as our county is part of the most water depleted region in the country.”

“In essence, The Suffolk Water Group is here to lobby, inform and encourage shared solutions and to avoid Suffolk businesses relocating their operations to other less water-stressed areas.”

The initial meeting, held recently, agreed a three-point action plan:

• All members of the Group to share intelligence on an internal channel in terms of relevant grants, schemes and initiatives
• Suffolk Chamber and the FSB will promote these and other information to their respective databases to boost awareness of the issues and possible solutions. Suffolk Chamber is adding a Water Hub onto its website
• A Suffolk-wide Water Credit Task & Finish Group has been set up to investigate the feasibility of such a scheme aimed at facilitating business-to-business trades in surplus water. Will Robinson from Essex & Suffolk Water is the chair with other members including Alan Ridealgh (Humber Doucy Brewing Company), Phil Clark (Konings Juices and Drinks) and Peter Richardson (Aspall).

Geoff Darch, head of strategic asset planning at Anglian Water, added: “We are pleased that Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has convened this important group, and very much welcome the opportunities it will bring to discuss, share knowledge and come together to act on such a critical issue as the availability and provision of water for the East of England. Water is not only vital for life, but also crucial to support the social and economic growth of the region – especially important for businesses looking to invest and expand.”

Will Robinson, water resources and supply strategy manager at Essex & Suffolk Water, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Anglian Water in forming the Suffolk Business Water Group.  We have had our initial meeting but already have a clear focus. As a group, we’re keen to support the business community in identifying grants, schemes and initiatives, as we work together to boost awareness of the water stress challenges, we’re all facing in Suffolk. 

“Providing practical shared solutions that could help businesses while protecting our existing water supplies will be a priority while we develop new strategic water supply schemes and build resilience for the future.”

The Suffolk Convention, held last month at BT Martlesham and coordinated by Suffolk Chamber, brought together over 100 senior delegates to identify the main lobbying asks of the new Government under the theme of #OneSuffolkVoice, one of which was improved support for businesses to make the necessary transitions to a low-water future.