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FeedsHome: Winter 2009 › In the bank
In the bank
01/12/2009 | Channel: Water
Water Direct’s successful Bottled Water Bank service has drawn participation from a number of notable water utility providers
Water Direct currently operates from headquarters located in Colchester, with operating facilities nationwide. It began its operations in 1996 with the goal of improving customer service within the water industry. Deciding the best way to do this was to provide alternative emergency supplies when the piped supply was unavailable, Water Direct looked into setting up a bank of appropriate water assets. The initial concept developed into a unique service, and Water Direct is now the leading provider of a one-call comprehensive solution to any water interruption event for both water utilities and end users.
Managing director, Keith Silcock explains how the company developed the original idea into a fully functioning Bottled Water Bank service: “First we had to develop a management system that could support this new method of provision. This involved looking at production sourcing, storing, labelling, packaging, and the quality monitoring and testing of the bottled water, to ensure that at the time of use it would be available, adequate and quality compliant.”
The Bank exists as an emergency stock for water utilities but also includes members from local authorities, emergency services, MoD and the commercial sector. “The bottled water concept involves storing large volumes of bottled water specifically packaged for emergencies,” explains Keith. “The key issue is the water quality assurance at the time it is deployed. One of the difficulties that some providers have had in the past is not being able to demonstrate conformity to quality under public water supply regulations. Our strategic stocks of bottled water have a shelf life of two to three years. During the period in storage we undertake regular sampling and monitoring tests on stock to ensure that at the time the utility provider gives it to the customer, we can provide evidence to demonstrate conformity.
“Water Direct evolved a strong level of management for this service. It naturally led us to look at other methods of alternative provision and related services, which in turn prompted us to offer maintenance and preparation services for static tanks and bowsers direct to the water companies. We also began to deploy those bowsers and tanks in emergencies, and fill them using our own dedicated drinking water tankers. The business therefore developed and evolved to encompass all the requirements of our client base to provide that one stop solution, including fast response.”
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In Summer 2009, following a thorough audit of Water Direct’s management systems and quality control procedures, Severn Trent Water joined the Bottled Water Bank. Speaking at the time of the contract signing, Keith said: “We are delighted that Severn Trent has now joined us, as its membership acknowledges that we have the experience, pedigree, resources and speed of response that such a utility requires. Our resilient bank stock and multi-source production service means we can provide the bottled water they need should they have to deal with a major incident.”
As environmental issues are of huge importance across the water supply sector, Water Direct is meeting a number of targets to reduce its impact on the environment. Keith elaborates: “We use only UK sources for bottling our water and have regional depots across the country for local deployment. We’re also looking at extending the shelf life of our emergency stock, which is validated by the extensive sampling and monitoring we’ve been carrying out on our water, from catchment area to customer. This means that we will be able to hold larger stock volumes for longer and it won’t be wasted.”
Reducing water wastage also allows water utilities to make cost savings, which are ever more important in the current climate of recession and financial hardship. Keith outlines the effect the economic downturn has had on Water Direct’s operations: “We have been relatively unscathed within the water industry, although the recession is affecting our operations outside this sector. In terms of construction, we are seeing a recovery now and conditions are improving. Every day Water Direct is receiving new enquiries for projects, and so although we have all had to tighten our belts, we are looking forward to a better 2010.”
The Bottled Water Bank is Water Direct’s main focus as the business moves forwards. Keith outlines how he sees the Bank developing in the future: “We’re very optimistic about additional members from the water sector joining the Bottled Water Bank, and a number of these look on that involvement as the first stage of incorporating our comprehensive support services into their emergency plans. Because we don’t provide anything other than drinking water services, we’re a totally focused business and a lot of the utilities are now seeing more benefit in placing their contracts with us, on the basis that they’ll get an assured response time-wise and a quality assured product at the end.”
Managing director, Keith Silcock explains how the company developed the original idea into a fully functioning Bottled Water Bank service: “First we had to develop a management system that could support this new method of provision. This involved looking at production sourcing, storing, labelling, packaging, and the quality monitoring and testing of the bottled water, to ensure that at the time of use it would be available, adequate and quality compliant.”
The Bank exists as an emergency stock for water utilities but also includes members from local authorities, emergency services, MoD and the commercial sector. “The bottled water concept involves storing large volumes of bottled water specifically packaged for emergencies,” explains Keith. “The key issue is the water quality assurance at the time it is deployed. One of the difficulties that some providers have had in the past is not being able to demonstrate conformity to quality under public water supply regulations. Our strategic stocks of bottled water have a shelf life of two to three years. During the period in storage we undertake regular sampling and monitoring tests on stock to ensure that at the time the utility provider gives it to the customer, we can provide evidence to demonstrate conformity.
“Water Direct evolved a strong level of management for this service. It naturally led us to look at other methods of alternative provision and related services, which in turn prompted us to offer maintenance and preparation services for static tanks and bowsers direct to the water companies. We also began to deploy those bowsers and tanks in emergencies, and fill them using our own dedicated drinking water tankers. The business therefore developed and evolved to encompass all the requirements of our client base to provide that one stop solution, including fast response.”
')";>In Summer 2009, following a thorough audit of Water Direct’s management systems and quality control procedures, Severn Trent Water joined the Bottled Water Bank. Speaking at the time of the contract signing, Keith said: “We are delighted that Severn Trent has now joined us, as its membership acknowledges that we have the experience, pedigree, resources and speed of response that such a utility requires. Our resilient bank stock and multi-source production service means we can provide the bottled water they need should they have to deal with a major incident.”
As environmental issues are of huge importance across the water supply sector, Water Direct is meeting a number of targets to reduce its impact on the environment. Keith elaborates: “We use only UK sources for bottling our water and have regional depots across the country for local deployment. We’re also looking at extending the shelf life of our emergency stock, which is validated by the extensive sampling and monitoring we’ve been carrying out on our water, from catchment area to customer. This means that we will be able to hold larger stock volumes for longer and it won’t be wasted.”
Reducing water wastage also allows water utilities to make cost savings, which are ever more important in the current climate of recession and financial hardship. Keith outlines the effect the economic downturn has had on Water Direct’s operations: “We have been relatively unscathed within the water industry, although the recession is affecting our operations outside this sector. In terms of construction, we are seeing a recovery now and conditions are improving. Every day Water Direct is receiving new enquiries for projects, and so although we have all had to tighten our belts, we are looking forward to a better 2010.”
The Bottled Water Bank is Water Direct’s main focus as the business moves forwards. Keith outlines how he sees the Bank developing in the future: “We’re very optimistic about additional members from the water sector joining the Bottled Water Bank, and a number of these look on that involvement as the first stage of incorporating our comprehensive support services into their emergency plans. Because we don’t provide anything other than drinking water services, we’re a totally focused business and a lot of the utilities are now seeing more benefit in placing their contracts with us, on the basis that they’ll get an assured response time-wise and a quality assured product at the end.”
