Saving water in the workplace

From 1 April 2026, business water and wastewater charges in Scotland and England will change. While investment in water services is essential, there are practical steps you can take to manage your usage and keep your costs under control.

Using water efficiently is not only good for the environment, it can also help protect your business from unnecessary expense.

Here are some straightforward ways to reduce waste and stay in control of your bills.

Taps

• Fix leaking taps and replace washers, a slow-dripping tap can waste up to 5,500 litres of water over a year*.

• Install water-efficient taps with an aerator or flow restrictor to use less water. Or fit lever/mixer taps as these save water by quickly reaching a desired temperature.

• Avoid washing up under running taps.

Dishwashers

- Install water efficient dishwashers.

- Always wait until you have a full load before washing. (The same goes for washing machines for those businesses who may use one.)

- Scrape rather than rinse dishes prior to washing.

Toilets

- Replace single-flush toilets with dual-flush toilets.

- Regularly check for leaks and fix immediately.

• Consider installing water-efficient urinals with smart controls to reduce unnecessary flushing.

Air conditioning

• If your working space uses evaporative air conditioners, set the thermostat to 24°C.

• Where possible, use fans and natural ventilation.

• Switch off heating and cooling after hours.