Top 6 ways your business can save water

The consequences of climate change are a global issue. As a result, more and more consumers are buying from businesses that demonstrate sustainable practices.

A 2021 survey by Deloitte into sustainability and consumer behaviour found that 32% of consumers are now engaging in a more sustainable lifestyle. Indeed 28% of consumers say they’ve stopped buying certain products because of environmental or ethical concerns. In general, the younger consumers are more likely to adopt sustainable behaviours; with Gen Z, the figures leap to 50% engaging in a more sustainable lifestyle and 45% avoiding buying products because of environmental or ethical concerns. And in total, 34% of UK consumers who say they chose brands with environmentally sustainable or ethical practices state that conserving water and other natural resources is something they value.

So whatever sector you’re in, saving water should be one of your top priorities, especially if you are running a B2C business. This will not only help the environment and help you retain customers; it will also save your business money as a result.

Here are our top 6 ways your business can save water.

1. Educate your employees

There are very few costs involved in educating your employees about the water-saving measures your business is implementing. Use your intranet or company newsletter to tell people about your progress and give regular updates. Put signs in bathrooms reminding people to turn off the taps as they wash their hands or to report dripping taps or leaky toilets so they can be mended as soon as possible. If everyone does their bit, your water efficiency is bound to improve.

2. Install water-saving toilets

Dual flush toilets have been around for years and can save your business significant amounts of water. You can now get toilets that use air in the flushing process, enabling you to get the same results but using a lot less water. If you simply don’t have the budget to replace your toilets, a cheap and simple solution is to add a water-saving device, such as a Hippo, into each water tank.

3. Get rid of dripping taps

A dripping tap can be annoying, but did you know it also wastes around 60 litres of water every week? Stopping the drip can save you a lot of money in the long run. You could also install a tap aerator which will reduce the amount of water you use, adding to the money saved.

4. Track water usage to identify leaks

If you’re surprised by how much water a dripping tap wastes, wait till you hear how much you could lose through a leak. We worked with Swindon Borough Council to discover the source of a leak that could have wasted nearly 80 million litres of water a year.

The leak was first discovered because the council used their water meter readings and spotted they were abnormally high. If they hadn’t tracked their usage, the leak wouldn’t have been discovered and the annual cost of the leaking water would have been £250,000.

5. Recycle greywater

Recycling greywater is becoming increasingly popular and could enable your business to save up to 30% of your water usage. Simply put, the wastewater from your sinks, showers, dishwashers and washing machines is diverted and used to flush toilets, wash vehicles and water grounds. It’s perfect for businesses such as hotels, universities and leisure centres where water usage is high.

6. Book a water efficiency audit

If you aren’t sure where to start when it comes to saving water, the best thing to do is book a water efficiency audit. Experts will visit your premises to assess current water usage, then make recommendations on practical ways of saving water. Efficiency measures will involve an initial investment, but the cost savings you make in the future will more than pay for them, possibly in the first year alone.

For more information on how your business can save water, read our helpful Water Efficiency Guide here. Read about our services here, including water efficiency audits and business water services.