Step 1: See what water you’re using for your business.
If you have a water meter, then the black digits are the ones to look at, if it’s safe to access. Checking taps and other pipes and fittings more often will also mean you can see any drips, or running water. Drips can also stop water flowing at a business, so it’s worth a few minutes of your time.
Noting meter reads at least once a month, if not every fortnight, helps you to spot any water issues early, so you can take actions to stop it – and keep costs down.
Regular servicing and maintenance of taps, toilets and urinals – as well as any water efficiency devices in buildings – is important – so it’s known they’re working properly and no water’s being wasted.
Weekly drip and leak checks are worth it: Fixing a leaky loo can save up to 400 litres of water a day – that’d fill 1,825 full bath-tubs in a year, where 80 litres of water was used per bath.
Only heating water you need to use, including in work kitchen kettles – or processes and other actions by staff around your business and products – means you can keep energy costs down, reduce carbon emissions and your carbon footprint.
Colder weather can also impact water pipes at businesses too, including pipes underground, so steps to be prepared for the changing weather helps. Seasonal plans and checks each quarter help you be prepared.
As many SMEs are part of UK supply chains for larger businesses, they contribute to Scope 3 carbon emissions. So, it means looking closer at cutting carbon emissions, overall, can give a boost to competitiveness and winning future business.
So, power your progress towards more efficiency – and green targets in the UK, by looking more at your water and tapping into the opportunities out there.
