From a droplet to a downpour: What businesses could consider this Water Saving Week  

Water is a precious resource in short supply. Despite our rainy weather, the combined pressures of climate change, growing population and demand make the UK vulnerable for water scarcity.    

The annual Water Saving Week highlights how daily choices can create a ripple effect when it comes to saving water. 

Businesses are responsible for a lot of UK’s water use and therefore can play a key role in water conservation. 

However, water is often overlooked when utilities are discussed, despite of most businesses already having comprehensive strategies for managing their electricity and gas consumption. 

Still, every organisation must consider water in their daily operations in some capacity and there is a lot to consider. For example, a wide variation in tariffs across UK regions makes it easy for you to overspend on water, especially when you’re managing contracts for multiple sites. 

Let’s be honest, water management can make us feel like a fish out of water. However, the UK’s net-zero commitment requires organisations to find ways to manage their resources more effectively and water is no exception.  

It all begins with a single drop. A burst pipe losing 1,500 litres per hour could cost more than £36,000 per year. Without adequate water monitoring, leaks can go undetected for a long time.

Impactful decision-making is built on data when it comes to utilities. Efficient metering creates a baseline of your typical consumption, which allows anomalies, irregularities and efficiency opportunities to be pinpointed, whether in your billing or on site.

For example, an expert software solution can warn you whenever your water consumption breaches a certain threshold. If the issue looks serious, engineers can work with your site managers to resolve the issue quickly. 

Every estate has their unique requirements, but there are straightforward ways every organisation can save water and money.  

Here are some of our top tips to consider this Water Saving Week: 

• Carry out a water audit to pinpoint errors in your billing and low-cost options for your business to save water. 
• Maximise your procurement opportunities by taking advantage of the open water market or becoming a self-supplier. 
• Have an expert at hand to help you detect and fix leaks fast. 
• Examine what water efficient technologies could be installed at your premises. 
• Review ways your business could recycle water and rainwater. 

Image credit: Henry Kaye, Ignite Energy’s Project Team