When a major soft and top fruit farming operation was presented with a bill for sewerage back charges for a six year period totalling £94,000, Quercus Consulting was instructed to undertake an analysis of historic water consumption and estimate the volume returned to the sewerage system.

Apart from water used by expatriate workers housed in caravans installed at the site, farm operations involve spraying and extensive irrigation to promote productivity.

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Based on employee records and estimated water consumption by the expatriate workers and the site staff, estimates of the water used for domestic purposes which had been returned to the sewer were made for each day in the period, which was extended to bring the account up to date. This extended period resulted in the claim increasing to £102,000.

Following representations to the water and sewerage company and a meeting, a settlement of £49,000 was agreed saving the farm £53,000. In addition, stage payments were agreed to mitigate the impact of the agreed bill. Finally, a model was agreed for the calculation of future charges in order that the farm could budget for forthcoming expenses.

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