National Trust Wales wins Award for Reducing Water Use

A charity which looks after Wales’ historic buildings and landscapes has won a UK-wide award for the innovative way it is helping the environment and slashing its bills at the same time.

The Environment Agency’s ‘Water Efficiency Awards 2012’ – in association with Waterwise – handed the honour to National Trust Wales for the creative and practical way it reduced the amount of water it uses.

Under its ‘Fit for the Future’ project, National Trust Wales used 40 per cent less water in its 240 properties in Wales, saving £100,000 in the process.

The project was set up to make environmental improvements in the way the Trust runs its properties. This included working out the basic amount of water needed in each of its buildings, harvesting rainwater and installing water-saving devices such as flush controllers.

National Trust Wales came top in two categories in a ceremony held at the House of Lords in London last night (Monday 17 September).

It won the UK-wide Innovation Award for new ideas and also took the Welsh Government sponsored prize for efficient use of water in Wales.

Chris Mills, Director, Environment Agency Wales said: “The work done by National Trust Wales shows that cost savings and environmental improvements often go hand-in-hand.

“Many other organisations, large and small, could also benefit financially by improving their environmental performance.”

Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, John Griffiths said: “The Welsh Government is pleased to sponsor the award for the Exemplar Project in Wales Category. Water is a limited natural resource and we must all be more efficient in the way we use it.

“This means changing our attitudes and behaviours in order to live more sustainably and better protect our environment. I would like to congratulate National Trust Wales, and everyone who was nominated, and emphasise that we all reap the benefit when we use water efficiently.”

Keith Jones, National Trust Environmental Adviser, National Trust Wales said: “We are honoured to be chosen as one of the winners of these highly prestigious awards which recognise organisations who are managing the use of water wisely to benefit society and protect our natural environment.

“The aim of the ‘Fit for the Future’ approach in Wales is to encourage a different way of thinking, share best practice and illustrate the wide-ranging benefits of using water efficiently.”