PR1781a

6th November 2007

What a footprint – Can you taste yours!

Carbon dioxide - you can’t see it, you can’t taste it, but we’re all contributing to increased levels of it, in our environment. And whilst water is commonly accepted as a precious resource, users rarely think that for every drop of tap water produced there is a hidden carbon footprint.

That’s why Three Valleys Water teamed up with a number of other local companies to support the University of Hertfordshire’s BIG Launch event, which aims to work with students to reduce the University’s manageable carbon emissions by 20% over the next 5 years. The BIG launch event took place on 1 st November and was open to the whole community, with special help and advice on hand for other organisations such as schools.

“Getting your head around tap water having a carbon footprint is a new concept for most people,” explained Andy Smith Managing Director at Three Valleys Water. “Put simply, every droplet of water that comes from your tap has been treated to the highest possible standard. Producing drinking water involves a number of processes, to clean the water and to deliver it, all of which use energy. So even when we have high rainfall and plenty of water in the environment, it’s still important not to waste tap water because of the hidden carbon footprint.”

To prove the point that tap water should be ‘drunk’ rather than ‘drained away’, the Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Cllr. Carl Storer joined in the fun by taking the tap water taste challenge – head to head with Michelle Dixon, the University of Hertfordshire’s Environmental Advisor, to see if either of them could spot the difference between tap water and bottled water. Neither Michelle or the Mayor could tell either water apart.

Mayor Cllr Storer said: “I’d challenge anyone to taste tap water alongside bottled water and be able to tell the difference. The tap water and bottled water tasted more or less the same; I suppose the biggest difference is that once you’ve drunk the tap water there’s no bottle to recycle.”

And to get the students really thinking on their feet at the BIG launch, the team from Three Valleys Water encouraged them to take the hidden water challenge. Hidden water is the amount of water is takes to produce something, throughout the production cycle. Examples used to challenge the students included the hidden water in producing a burger!

Michelle Dixon of the University of Hertfordshire said: “We’re really pleased to have had Three Valleys Water on board for this event; they always come up with imaginative ways of getting the students to think about water, not just in terms of the environment but also for health and well being.”

Cllr. Carl Storer took up the taste challenge with Paula Campbell, Three Valleys Water

Ends

For further information please contact Public Relations, tel: 01707 277110, fax: 01707 277213, website: www.3valleys.co.uk

Note to Editors:

STUDIO REQUEST

Who: Three Valleys Water

When: Thursday 1 st November – Breakfast Show

Where: In studio

What: Tap Water Taste Challenge

Why: In support of the University of Hertfordshire’s BIG launch, Three Valleys Water would like to come to the studio to promote the event which is open to all the community. As part of this we will be encouraging people to think about the carbon footprint of water and hidden water content.

Did you know – there is 2400 litres of hidden water in a burger!

What can you do in studio?

Take the tap water taste challenge – will the delicate palates of your studio crew be able to tell the tap water from bottled water?

Contact: Paula Campbell
01707 277110
07801 677110
Paula.campbell@3valleys.co.uk