Diageo and Pernod Ricard defend water use

Diageo and Pernod Ricard have emphasised their commitment to preserving the environment as a new report criticises some of the groups’ Scotch whisky distilleries for using too much water.

Diageo’s Glendullan Distillery was among those criticised for abstracting too much water in 2013

A Freedom of Information request submitted by Herald Scotland revealed that in 2013 eight whisky distilleries had been rated “poor” by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) for their over-abstraction of water from natural sources.

When the environmental assessment was published the names of the companies were kept confidential “for reasons of national security”, but the FOI request revealed that three distilleries owned by Diageo and two Chivas Brothers sites were among those which “breached their licenses” and siphoned-off too much water.

Diageo’s Dailuaine Distillery, Glendullen Distillery and Teaninich Distillery – all based in Speyside – as well as its Port Ellen Maltings site, were all given “poor” ratings with regards to water use.

A “poor” rating was also given to Cragganmore Distillery, but this was deemed an administrative error and was later removed.

Diageo has, however, issued a statement in an attempt to clarify the ratings. The UK-based group said that the over-abstraction of water at Dailuaine and Glendullan was caused by a leak and that the surplus water was returned to its natural source.

The group also said it had invested in a new abstraction water at Teaninich to prevent future water overuse, adding that its daily water abstraction across all mentioned sites was usually “well-below” licensed volumes.

Environmental responsibility

“Water is the life-blood of our business and we take the responsible stewardship of water extremely seriously,” said Keith Miller, Diageo distilling and maturation director.

“The incidents identified were caused by specific short-term issues which were resolved to SEPA’s satisfaction.

“We monitor our water abstraction very closely and where issues do occasionally arise we take immediate and strong action to resolve them. We are determined to protect water quality for all users and for wildlife.”

A spokesperson for Chivas Brothers – the whisky and gin arm of French drinks group Pernod Ricard – similarly emphasised its environmental commitment and said operations at its offending Speyside distilleries had been amended.

“Chivas Brothers takes its environmental responsibilities seriously,” the spokesperson said. “It worked closely with SEPA at the time to rectify this issue, and bring its water usage into compliance. This remains the case with both distilleries at present.”

SEPA also condemned 200 operators for failing to say how much water they used, including a number of other distilleries.