Water
Water, from Source to Cloth
Water at our Elgin mill
Water has been part of our manufacturing story since 1797. Today, it remains essential to the washing, dyeing and finishing of our natural fibres. We are focused on using it carefully, measuring what we consume and reducing unnecessary use.
Our Elgin mill is where most of our wet processing takes place, making water an essential part of how we transform natural fibres into beautifully finished cloth.
The majority of the water we use at Elgin comes from a borehole on our site. The remaining water comes from the town's mains supply and is used for toilets, canteens, our restaurant and other non-production needs.
This separation means that water used directly in our production processes comes from our own groundwater source, while mains water supports the everyday needs of our people and visitors.
Understanding where our water comes from
Measuring the source and purpose of our water use helps us understand where we can make improvements.
Borehole water
Of the water consumed on site at Elgin comes from our on-site borehole.
Mains water
Comes from the town's water supply and is used for toilets, canteens, our restaurant and other non-production needs.
Production water
All water used directly in production at Elgin comes from our on-site borehole.
Water for production, from beneath our mill
The borehole at our Elgin site provides the water used in our production processes.
Using an on-site groundwater source means that our production does not draw from the town's mains supply relied upon by homes, farms and other local users.
It also provides greater resilience and security of supply for our manufacturing operations. Having our own source of production water helps us plan with greater confidence, particularly during periods of hot and dry weather when pressure on water supplies can increase.
This is increasingly important as Scotland prepares for changing rainfall patterns and greater pressure on water resources. SEPA encourages businesses whose operations depend on water to plan ahead and build resilience into their approach to water management.
We therefore see our borehole as both a responsible way to source the water required for production and an important part of maintaining continuity of supply for our manufacturing operations and customers.
Measuring our water use
Understanding how much water we use is an important part of improving how we manage it.
We now set annual targets for the amount of water used in production. Measuring consumption helps us identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary use and make better decisions about our processes.
Continued measurement also helps us understand where water is being used within our manufacturing processes and where further improvements may be possible.
Water is part of the craft
Water plays an important role throughout textile manufacturing. At our mills, it is used in processes including washing, dyeing and finishing, helping us achieve the handle, appearance and quality associated with Johnstons of Elgin cloth.
The challenge is to retain the quality that our craft demands while using the natural resources involved as efficiently as possible.
That is why water consumption is something we measure and manage, rather than simply treating it as a resource that is always available.
What happens after production?
Water used in textile manufacturing must be managed carefully before it leaves the mill.
Our processes include treatment of textile wastewater before it enters the local infrastructure.
Responsible water stewardship is therefore about more than the volume of water we take. It also means considering what happens to water after it has been used.
Water across our supply chain
Our responsibility for water does not stop at the gates of our mills.
Two of the more significant areas of water use elsewhere in our supply chain take place during the scouring of fibres in Mongolia and China before they are shipped to the UK.
We are engaging with our partners to better understand water use in these locations, the pressures on local water resources and the measures being taken to improve conservation.
Understanding these impacts is an important part of building a more complete picture of water across our supply chain.
Using water with care
At Elgin, 81% of our site water comes from our own borehole, and all of the water used directly in production comes from this groundwater source. Mains water is used for the everyday needs of our site.
We are now setting annual targets for production water use and continuing to improve how we measure consumption.
Responsible manufacturing is about understanding the value of the resources we use, using them carefully and continually looking for better ways to work.
Responsible water use begins with understanding what we consume.
Water has always been closely connected to textile manufacturing in Scotland. Our responsibility is to understand the resource we use, measure our consumption and keep looking for ways to reduce unnecessary use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about water use, groundwater and responsible water management at Johnstons of Elgin.
Where does Johnstons of Elgin get its water?
At our Elgin mill, 81% of the water consumed on site comes from an on-site borehole. The remaining 19% comes from the town's mains supply and is used for toilets, canteens, our restaurant and other non-production needs.
Does Johnstons of Elgin use mains water for production?
No. All of the water used directly in production at our Elgin mill comes from our on-site borehole. Mains water is used for non-production requirements such as toilets, canteens and our restaurant.
Why does Johnstons of Elgin use a borehole?
Our Elgin mill has access to groundwater through an on-site borehole. Using this source for production means that our manufacturing processes do not draw from the town's mains supply used by homes, farms and other local users. It also provides greater resilience and security of supply for our manufacturing operations, including during periods of hot and dry weather.
How is Johnstons of Elgin reducing water use?
We now set annual targets for water used in production. We are also improving the measurement and monitoring of water consumption so that we can identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary use.
Why is water important to textile manufacturing?
Water is used in important textile processes including washing, dyeing and finishing. At Johnstons of Elgin, these processes help create the quality, handle and finish associated with our natural fibre products.
Does Johnstons of Elgin consider water use in its supply chain?
Yes. Two of the more significant areas of water use elsewhere in our supply chain are associated with the scouring of fibres in Mongolia and China. We are working with partners to better understand their water use, local impacts and plans for water conservation.
Is Scotland at risk of water scarcity?
Scotland currently benefits from relatively low water stress compared with many parts of the world, but water availability cannot be taken for granted. Climate change and changing rainfall patterns may increase pressure on water resources over time.
How does Johnstons of Elgin manage water after production?
Water used in textile manufacturing is managed before it leaves the mill. Our processes include treatment of textile wastewater before it enters the local infrastructure.
