Cut Your Business Utility Bills with Water Audits

Hello, Champions of Net Zero!

In an era where sustainability is becoming increasingly vital for businesses, many organisations are seeking innovative ways to not only operate more sustainably but also to reduce their utility expenses. One effective strategy that is gaining traction is conducting a comprehensive water audit of their facilities.

A water audit consists of a meticulous review of a business’s water usage, comparing the actual consumption volumes against the charges levied by the local water supplier. The primary goal of this audit is to uncover any discrepancies or inconsistencies that may have accumulated over time, potentially leading to incorrect billing.

Understanding your water consumption patterns is crucial. Without clear visibility into how and where water is being used, businesses run the risk of being overcharged. A cautionary tale can be drawn from the ongoing dispute involving the Livermead Cliff Hotel in Torbay, which has found itself embroiled in a conflict with Pennon Water Services over estimated bills amounting to a staggering £15,000.

The hotel management asserts that it has been excessively charged due to its water meter being disconnected for a prolonged period. Despite the hotel notifying the water supplier about the faulty meter, the issue remained unresolved, resulting in bills dating back to between 2012 and 2014 that were based on erroneous estimates.

Anthony Rew, the hotel director, detailed that over a span of three-and-a-half years, the establishment was charged for 7.5 cubic metres of water daily, whereas its actual usage was merely 5.5 cubic metres. He recounted the moment they discovered the meter was not even attached: “We went out to the meter, went to read it, couldn’t read it. [We] put our hand inside where the meter was and pulled the meter out. It wasn’t even attached.”

This dispute has now dragged on for six years, with threats of disconnection looming over the hotel for failing to settle what they believe to be an unjust account.

In response to the ongoing situation, Pennon Water Services stated, “We will always work with our customers to investigate the cause of any consumption concerns. We have different allowances depending on different scenarios to help bring in line a customer’s bill with their own average usage.”

Why Water Audits Are Essential for Businesses

To circumvent distressing situations akin to that faced by the Livermead Cliff Hotel, it is paramount for businesses to gain a thorough understanding of their water usage. This knowledge empowers them to identify opportunities for water conservation, reduce consumption, and ultimately lower their bills.

Water audits play a pivotal role in this process, and businesses may discover that they can achieve reductions in their water supply and wastewater disposal charges of up to 30%. Additionally, these audits can potentially unveil opportunities for reclaiming refunds for historical overcharges. In fact, some clients have successfully reclaimed amounts exceeding £500,000!

The water audit process begins with an exhaustive analysis of historical water bills, typically examining a complete record dating back at least 12 months. If your business operates across multiple sites, it is essential to review bills from each location and every water supplier involved.

While this task may seem laborious, remember that the objective is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of your water expenditures, allowing for greater control over this significant business cost in the future. The initial effort will undoubtedly yield substantial benefits down the line.

In addition to reviewing bills, we may require other relevant information depending on the nature of your business. For instance, we might need to know the number of public restrooms on site, staff numbers, and details about leisure facilities such as spas and swimming pools.

Once we have compiled all the necessary information, we conduct a preliminary desktop water audit, providing you with a clear picture of how to save money on your water bills.

Identifying Water-Saving Measures

Water-saving measures can encompass a variety of strategies, including:

  • Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater for later use can significantly reduce reliance on mains water supply.
  • Grey Water Reuse: Implementing systems that allow the reuse of grey water (wastewater from sinks, baths, and showers) can conserve fresh water resources.
  • Water Leak Detection and Repair: Proactively identifying and fixing leaks can prevent unnecessary water loss and inflated bills.
  • Water Monitoring: Installing remote monitoring equipment to track water flow on an hourly basis can highlight unusual spikes in usage, indicating potential leaks and enabling prompt action.

This strategic approach is particularly effective in identifying leaks, as real-time monitoring can reveal sudden increases in water usage, allowing for swift intervention.

For those interested in exploring the advantages of water audits and the potential savings they can unlock for your business, we encourage you to reach out to the Switch Water Supplier team today.

Visit us at www.switchwatersupplier.com to learn more about how we can assist you in enhancing your water management practices.

This article first appeared in the January/February 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. If you would like to stay informed about similar topics, consider subscribing to our publication for insightful updates.

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