Water

The Partnership recognises that we should monitor how much water we use and should aim to use less of this precious and increasingly scarce resource.
Waterfall

Although we are not big users of water, reducing consumption is a challenge because we have not always had regular and reliable data. Historically, not all of our shops have metered water sources, which meant we were reliant on estimated data provided often irregularly by utility companies. During 2009-10 we made a concerted effort to increase the accuracy of our data.

Why is it important?

  • Water demand already exceeds supply in many parts of
    the world including the UK, and many more areas are
    expected to experience this imbalance in the near future.
  • Climate change could have significant impacts on water
    resources around the world because climate and the hydrological cycle are closely connected.

Targets and performance

We have installed additional water meters in all existing shops, allowing accurate, real-time water usage to be reported and used to inform our programme of water-reduction measures. We now install these additional water meters in all new shops as standard and we are installing additional metering at our other premises such as our head offices and distribution centres.

The additional water meters are above and beyond those required from the Water Boards are already helping to deliver accurate and timely consumption information, enabling us to identify potential instances of over-consumption of water so that we can investigate and take appropriate action. Having more accurate water data for our shops has also provided us with a baseline from which to set a new water target; we aim to reduce our shop water use by 20 per cent per square foot of trading floor area by 2013/14, against a 2010/11 baseline.

View water data.

Key initiatives

We mainly use water in our customer and Partner restaurants and toilets, and for cleaning. We are committed to exploring initiatives to reduce water use and to also utilise further opportunities for rainwater harvesting. For example, we have enlisted the help of a number of water specialists who have carried out several shop surveys. Following their recommendations, we are reviewing all taps and water-using equipment and trialling waterless urinals, low-flush cisterns and rainwater harvesting. Additional areas of focus will include ice disposal from fish counters, and Partner and customer catering operations. Our plans for reducing water use also include better water monitoring.

We recognise the importance of our responsibility to mobilise others in actions that lower the impact associated with the use of water in the production, distribution and consumption or use of our products. Waitrose is working with key produce suppliers to improve water efficiency and encourage good water stewardship. A policy for agricultural packers and growers has been published, which covers the origin, sustainability, quality reduction and storage of water. Water reduction targets are also in place.

back to top

Related

  • John Lewis
    John Lewis is the UK's largest department store retailer with 29 department stores, eight John Lewis at home shops and johnlewis.com online.

  • Waitrose
    Waitrose combines the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and service of a specialist shop.

  • CSR reports
    Our CSR performance is publicly reported. Read our current and past reports.