It finally feels like spring has arrived over the last few days, as most of the country has been spoiled with bright blue skies and warm weather.
At the same time, this spell of spring climate serves as a reminder to businesses that they should do a water audit and see if there are any areas they could reduce their usage.
By doing this, they can mitigate against the risks of not having enough water when the weather gets warmer over the summer.
The risk of a summer drought
Despite the UK’s reputation for being wet and green, it is no stranger to droughts. In fact, Britain has experienced severe dry conditions in the past, the worst being the 1975-1976 drought.
This resulted in severe water shortages that impacted the country’s agricultural sector, as well as the health and wellbeing of citizens. There was a substantial loss of water life, poor conditions for crops and a reduction in yields, little food for livestock, and reduced public water supplies.
More recently, 2022-2023 experienced a drought, being the fifth driest on record. To make sure water lasted for as long as possible, six water providers had hosepipe bans.
Crop and milk yields dropped, wildfires spread across the countryside, lots of fish died, and a Level 4 heat health alert was issued, thanks to the excessive heat as well. As many as 2,800 excess deaths of those over 65s were recorded between June and August 2022, reminding the public of the importance of a healthy public water supply, especially during heatwaves.
Forecasters have already suggested this coming summer could be a dry one, with no rain having fallen over the last few days already.
Therefore, it is essential that businesses put measures in place to reduce their water usage and end any wastage, so reserves can remain protected for later on in the summer when it might be needed.
Any prolonged dry periods can put pressure on local water providers, even as early on as the spring. To prevent water supplies from running out during hot spells, which could put vulnerable people at risk, as well as the farming community, businesses can take action now to reduce the amount of water they use.
Important measures to take to reduce water usage
There are many actions businesses can take to limit the amount of water they use or waste, and these can have significant impact, no matter how large or small the company is.
1) Fix leaks
One of the most effective things to do to reduce water wastage is to fix any leaks. A dripping tap typically wastes 5,500 litres of water every year. However, more serious leaks can lose more than 12,000 litres over a 12-month period.
This not only leads to considerably higher bills, but also a needless use of water that could be reserved for later in the summer.
2) Introduce water-efficient technology
Companies might be tempted to invest in water-efficient features. Not only do these help the planet by using less water, but they could also save them a lot on their water bills.
For instance, dual flush toilets typically use three to four litres for liquid and between 4.5 and six litres for solid waste. Therefore, this would save up to three litres of water every time the toilet is flushed.
Low-flow aerators are devices that are fitted to taps, which add air to the water stream. This allows less water to be expended every time the faucet is turned on.
Motion-activated taps are also a good option, as they only turn on and off when they are needed. Therefore, they do not unnecessarily pour out water after the user has finished.
3) Update appliances
It could also be worthwhile updating appliances in the office. For instance, instant hot water boilers help to reduce the amount of water that is wasted when people use kettles.
Many people are guilty of filling the kettle when they only need the amount for one or two cups. Therefore, they may end up wasting a considerable amount of water over time.
Similarly, these taps mean people can access hot water without turning the faucet on and wasting water while waiting for it to warm up.
Bottleless water coolers are also something to consider, as they allow people to access water directly from the mains supply. They also help the environment in other ways, including eliminating the need for deliveries and having to recycle plastic bottles.
4) Alter cleaning processes
Companies could also think about implementing more efficient cleaning processes. For example, modern dishwashers use less water than older models.
Low-flow pressure washers, automatic floor scrubbers that use less water than mopping, and microfibre cleaning processes that keep surfaces clean through super absorbent material instead of chemicals are all more water-efficient than other systems.
5) Raise staff involvement
It is also important to make sure staff are involved in reducing water usage, so they can do their part in protecting water reserves.
This includes turning off taps when not in use, filling dishwashers, avoiding pre-rinsing dishes, only filling the necessary amount into a kettle, and reporting leaks as soon as they are spotted.
6) Monitor water use
Businesses should make it a priority to continue to monitor their usage throughout the whole year and not just in the lead-up to summer and a potential drought.
They can do this by having a water meter so they can see their water consumption, and do regular audits on their usage and wastage.
They could identify places and times where a lot of water is used, as this will help them make adjustments to reduce any wasted water.
