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Chemical company drills down to aid water conservation

A specialist chemical company, based in Cross Hills, has implemented an ambitious plan to develop its own water supply in a bid to help the environment and cut running costs.

Airedale Chemical drilled a 20-metre deep bore hole within its ground, to test the quality of the water which will now be used in the company’s chemical processing works with plans to become fully water self-sufficient by the end of 2021.

The project has been led by Airedale Chemical operations director, Daniel Fox, who said: “As a chemical company we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously so when the opportunity arose for us to source the water used in our chemical processing from within our existing boundaries we jumped at the chance.

“We’re outsourcing 30% less water which aids water conservation and we’re also working on becoming entirely self-sufficient for water in the next 12 months.”

Airedale Chemical was awarded a Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice and a gold award in the Zero Waste Awards for its ‘Zero to Landfill’ scheme which completely cut out site waste destined for landfill, instead recycling waste for use in energy production and community projects.

It is believed Airedale Chemical is currently the only chemical company in Yorkshire using its own natural springs in its chemical processing and one of only a few in the country.

Managing director, Chris Chadwick, added: “We will be able to reduce the amount of drinking-quality water we use on site and reduce our overall carbon footprint, without having to expand the site. All of this will be concealed beneath a single manhole cover so there will be no visual impact for our neighbours.

“We have been working closely with the Environment Agency to ensure the correct licensing and practices are in place and they will continue to monitor and inspect the operation to ensure all standards are met.

“A lot of time and effort has been invested into making our site work as effectively and ecologically as possible, and Daniel has done a fantastic job of pushing the company forward to become an environmentally-aware and resource-efficient business.”

“We also recently invested £200,000 in solar panels and we now draw zero electricity from the grid.”

Airedale Chemical has been based in Cross Hills since 1994 and provides chemicals and contract manufacturing to markets including agriculture, dairy, water treatment and waste management.

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