The 500th product to be added to the Water Technology List (WTL) was one of our surface mounted shower panels. We were very pleased to be approached by the ECA-Water press department to provide comment for their News Release, which is reproduced below.

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A successful start to 2006 for the Water Technology List.
ECA-Water News, 29 March 2006
(http://www.eca-water.gov.uk/news.asp)

The Water Technology List (WTL) reached a major milestone in December with receipt of its 1000th product application. Since its launch over 750 product applications have met the eligibility criteria and have been accepted onto the List, therefore qualifying for the Enhanced Capital Allowance.

The 1000th product application was made by Elster, who manufacture water meters for utility, commercial and domestic use. The 1000th product was one of 20 Elster applied to have included within the category of Meters and Monitoring Equipment. All were accepted and were placed on the WTL on the 1st February 2006.

When asked to comment, Paul Surridge of Elster said:

“The attraction of joining the Water Technology List and having a number of our products approved was twofold. Firstly, our customers will now receive a financial incentive for purchasing our range of water meters giving us a competitive edge. Secondly, as an environmentally conscious organisation and water becoming ever more scarce, we are keen to be involved in any initiative that helps promote the importance of sustainable water use.

“Other schemes and campaigns relating to environmental issues have often failed in the past because of the extra financial burden adopting them places on businesses. The ECA scheme does the opposite and allows businesses to receive a financial benefit in purchasing our products that in turn benefit the environment.

“We see our inclusion on the Water Technology List as an excellent benefit for us and my only regret is that we did not apply sooner.”

January 2006 was another busy month for the WTL. Applications for almost 200 products covering all eight technology categories were received, making it the highest number ever submitted in a month since the Water Technology Criteria List was launched in July 2003. Another record was also set by the number of products accepted for inclusion on the Water Technology Product List with 242 products being added to the List on 1st February covering six of the product technology categories. Not only did 1st February see the List go past the 500th accepted product milestone, but also the 600th, with a current total of over 750 accepted products.

The 500th accepted product was submitted by Horne Engineering Ltd under the Efficient Showers category. Hannah Whitelaw of Horne Engineering Ltd said of the successful application:

“We first became aware of the WTL through an advertisement in an accounting magazine two years ago and immediately saw the benefits in having our products included. We were already promoting shower panels with water saving features such as timed flow controls and flow regulators, that it was an obvious step to submit these products for inclusion on the list. At that time, however, efficient showers were not considered a qualifying technology for the list, but seeing the benefits, we were keen for this technology to be included and aided Defra in their research into the technology.

“We believe that having our products on the WTL enhances our credibility with our current and potential customers. Although many of our customers (NHS, County Councils etc) do not claim tax relief on the products bought, they are under increasing environmental and budgetary pressures to reduce water usage and save money. When looking for products that will help them to achieve these objectives, the WTL provides an accessible and trusted starting point in the search for suitable water saving showers.

“Increasingly we are selling shower panels to private and independent sports clubs and health clinics as well as other manufacturers for their own staff use and these businesses can benefit from the associated tax relief. For us, this provides us with yet another selling point that adds significant value to the product.”

Rainwater harvesting equipment has been very popular with manufacturers and suppliers since its inclusion on the WTL. The 600th accepted product fell into this technology category and was made by Stormsaver Ltd. Lisa Farnsworth, the company’s Sales Director said:

“For many years the main barrier to the inclusion for rainwater recovery systems has been the additional cost to the build. The reduced water bills and environmental benefits just didn’t seem enough for our private clients in the construction industry to include the Stormsaver system. Following the inclusion of rainwater recovery to the WTL we have experienced a significant increase in enquiries.

“The scheme offers our clients a fantastic incentive to install the Stormsaver system, being able to offset 100% of the capital cost of the system against their taxable profits. It also means that more rainwater systems will be installed in the UK, which will reduce the requirement for mains water and the impact on the environment.

“Being the 600th product accepted onto the list demonstrates the interest from fellow manufacturers in bringing products to the market – it is also great for our customers now that they can benefit from the ECAs or Enhanced Capital Allowances available on Stormwaver products listed on the Water Technology List!”

Applying for product inclusion is a simple on-line process. Manufacturers and suppliers are encouraged, in the first instance, to check the published eligibility criteria on the WTL website (www.eca-water.gov.uk) and if they feel their product meets the criteria, to register on the website and submit a product application. They are then asked to submit supporting evidence which demonstrates that their product meets the criteria for the scheme. An assessment of the application is undertaken and if successful the product is added to the List on the 1st of the following month.

Businesses looking to invest in water saving products are able to use the on-line product search to identify which products and technologies are included on the list and to find contact details for manufacturers and suppliers of those products. They can be confident that WTL products will help them save water and money on their bills, but also that they may be eligible to receive the ECA on that product and thus benefit from a cash-flow boost.

The List also encourages new technology applications. New technology categories are added on an annual basis and consideration is given to all new technologies suggested for inclusion. Registration on the website allows these applications to be made.

The WTL demonstrates the strong synergy between organisations being environmentally responsible and gaining financial advantage through water efficiencies. To find out more about registering or purchasing products on the WTL, visit www.eca-water.gov.uk or call 0800 585794.