The rise in water prices which is being felt this year and will continue for the years to come, is primarily due to the need for significant investment in ageing infrastructure, including sewage systems and reservoirs, and the requirement to meet stricter environmental regulations. As a result, businesses all over the UK are feeling the pinch and looking for new ways to make their operations more efficient. This strain on funds, coupled with increasing sustainability pressures, makes water efficiency a key priority for forward-thinking businesses, ensuring that every drop counts.

In this article Lissa Wood, Director of SME Customers at Wave, shares her expertise on the simple ways that businesses can use their water more efficiently and why this is not just a benefit for their bottom line.

Tips to maximise your businesses water efficiency

Check your bathroom appliances

We often discover that unexpected spikes in water bills are due to faulty appliances on-site, with leaky toilets and urinals among the most common culprits. Switching to dual-flush toilets and fixing leaky loos can greatly reduce usage, while installing urinal controls, waterless urinals, or sensor taps can lead to significant cost and water savings.

Don’t neglect your office kitchens…

A dripping tap is not only irritating, but it also could be wasting around 5,500 litres of water a year. Installing automatic taps or spray taps can help make a big difference to water and energy consumption levels. Check whether your kitchen appliances have an eco-setting and use them if they do. 

Become mates with your meter

Most businesses have a water meter, so make sure you know where it is and, if it’s safe to do so, get into the habit of submitting your reads monthly as it makes patterns or issues quicker and easier to spot. If you do suspect a leak, check your meter after you’ve closed when no water is being used, to see if water’s still flowing through it.

Eliminate external leaks

Some leaks are easier to spot than others, and many can go unnoticed over time, increasing your chances of a burst pipe as well as racking up a big bill. You don’t always need specialist help to find a leak, the easiest thing you can do is follow our step-by-step leak and flow test guide.

The bigger picture

While using water more efficiently is great for supporting business cost savings, it can also yield benefits in other areas of your business and support with reaching net zero targets.

Improve sustainability credentials

Consumers are becoming increasingly mindful of where they take their business and whether their service provider’s practices align with their own ethics and beliefs. This is also true for businesses, that are growing more conscious of how their choice of suppliers and business partners will impact their indirect emissions (Scope 2 and 3). By acting in a way that is more environmentally responsible, your business automatically becomes more favourable to consumers and partners alike.

Water scarcity and decarbonisation targets

Water scarcity is becoming more of an issue across the UK as we see more hosepipe bans in the summer months and even restrictions on business growth in some areas. With the volume of water currently being wasted across the country, the government has set targets to encourage better water efficiency within businesses and help their wider decarbonisation agenda. For business owners, using water more wisely means not only doing the right thing for the planet, but also helping to future-proof their own operations. 

Team engagement and culture

Sustainability initiatives, such as prioritising water efficiency, often boost staff morale and engagement, as employees appreciate working for a company that advocates for environmentally conscious practices. Encouraging them to spot and report leaks or inefficiencies around the building and get them used to making more mindful choices in turn supports your overall sustainability effort.

In a world where environmental responsibility is no longer optional, prioritising water efficiency offers businesses a practical and impactful way to cut costs, enhance sustainability and engage their workforce. From simple fixes in office spaces to long-term infrastructure changes, every action taken can contribute to meaningful savings and a reduced carbon footprint. By making water a key part of your sustainability strategy, your business not only protects its bottom line, but also plays a vital role in safeguarding our planet's future.