26th March 2024

Our water resources are under pressure and this strain will increase as a result of the climate crisis. The average wastage of water per person is over 1,000 litres a week. It’s important that we all take steps to use water more efficiently. It is not just local people who rely on our precious water supplies, but also species living by the lakes, rivers and wetlands too.

Better managing water consumption can ultimately result in considerable cost savings for your organisation and help you become more resilient in times of water scarcity.

Water and energy use are also deeply connected. Transporting and processing water from water sources, heating water for our everyday use, and water treatment all require energy. Minimising water usage can therefore also help reduce your carbon emissions.

Top ten water saving tips

  • TARGETS AND TEAMS

    Find out how much water your business is using by reviewing your water bills and regularly reading your meters and sub meters. From here you can begin to set reduction targets.  Make sure your staff are on board and begin to adopt everyday habits that help with water consumption. Set water usage targets and encourage everyone to work towards these.

  • METER CHECK

    Have a member of staff check your meter every month to look for changes in water use, as this could indicate a leak. Try to also check the meter at night or when you know no water is being used in order to monitor leakage. Your water supplier may offer water audits to see how efficient your organisation’s water usage is.

  • TOILETS

    Using dual-flush and low-flow toilets can save thousands of litres of water a year. Alternatively, use a cistern displacement device in your toilet cistern to save water. Check that urinals are only flushing when needed and consider water efficient urinals – avoid uncontrolled urinals. Many people don’t know which button to press on dual-flush toilets so signage can help avoid misuse.

    Some water companies will give away free ‘leak strips’ to stick to the toilet bowl which change colour at signs of a leak. Affinity Water offers tips and free products to help save water.

  • TAPS

    Mending dripping taps as well as replacing taps with low-flow or spray taps when they reach the end of their life will reduce the volume of water used. Fitting sensors to taps as well as tap aerators can also make a big difference.

    Use engaging signage to encourage guests to turn off running taps when brushing teeth.

  • SHOWERS

    Fit a water efficient showerhead. These use less water but still ensure adequate water pressure for guests. Affinity Water offers a range of free products to help save water.

  • KITCHEN WATER USE

    Ask kitchen staff to rinse fruit and vegetables in a bowl of water rather than under a running tap and be sure to wash up in a bowl rather than under a constant running tap.

    Encourage staff to save leftover cooking water for use in stocks and soups, or alternatively save to use on plants and in the garden.

  • DISHWASHERS

    Always make sure your dishwasher is full before turning it on and ideally avoid pre-rinsing. Use the eco mode to save water and energy. When your machine needs replacing, buy the most water and energy efficient model you can.

  • LAUNDRY

    If you are an accommodation provider, don’t automatically wash towels and linen. Use engaging signage to give guests the option and explain why it is important to reduce water use.

    If your laundry is outsourced, then ask the company what they are doing to reduce their water consumption.

    Use the eco setting on the washing machine, make sure it is full before using it and where possible, reduce the temperature of the wash.

    When your machine needs replacing, buy the most water and energy efficient model you can.

  • HARVEST RAINWATER

    If you have outdoor space, then collecting rainwater to reuse in your gardens is a must. It is easy and straightforward to do, with plenty of cost-effective water butts on the market.

  • GREYWATER REDUCTION

    Talk to a plumber about implementing a greywater recycling system which would reuse water from showers, baths, sinks etc for irrigation purposes as well as toilet flushing.

Further information

Read more tips and information on how to become a more sustainable business in our Impacts Resources Hub.

If you’d like to showcase your business's impact on sustainability in Hertfordshire, sign up as one of our Impact Heroes.

If you have taken action to be more sustainable in your business, we’d love to hear more. Please get in touch with enquiries@visitherts.co.uk