Top water inefficiencies we find in business audits

With a million other considerations to think about, it’s perhaps not surprising that water consumption isn’t at the top of a commercial organisation’s priority list. That is until the water bill arrives and overheads begin to bite.

We carry out many water efficiency audits each year across a wide range of businesses, from sports and leisure centres to hotels and more. One thing we’ve consistently found is that hidden issues are often the biggest driver of large-scale water wastage.

The good news is these problems don’t stay hidden for long when they’re assessed early. That’s where our EcoMOT service comes in.

Most common water inefficiencies found in business water audits

Leaking fixtures (especially taps and pipes)

A very common problem that audits reveal is leaks from fixtures. A slow dripping tap may not seem like much of a problem but it can waste close to 5,500 litres of water in a single year, which can have a significant cost – both in financial and environmental terms.

At places like Beaconside Sports & Fitness Centre and Seaham Harbour Golf Club, this problem was one of their biggest causes for water inefficiency. Leaking underground pipes can be extremely damaging for businesses as they typically remain undetected for very long periods, quietly increasing both the volume of water used and the cost incurred.

Excessive shower flow rates

Unnecessary water consumption often comes from showers as well. In many audits, including Beaconside Sports & Fitness Centre, The Apple Inn and Resolv Property Management, we found shower flow rates of around 10-12 litres per minute.

These can typically be reduced to around 8 litres per minute by installing simple flow regulators, without affecting the user experience. This small adjustment can deliver immediate and measurable reductions in both water consumption and energy use.

Inefficient toilet flushing systems

Another common source of inefficiency is outdated toilet systems. Older systems often use far more water per flush than necessary, particularly where dual-flush or low-volume options aren’t in place.

We identified this issue across several sites and we always recommend upgrading to modern flushing systems as they can significantly reduce daily water usage, especially in businesses within the hospitality and leisure sectors as they see a lot of visitors throughout the year.

Inefficient urinal systems

Urinals can often be a hidden source of water wastage too. During audits across various properties, we’ve found systems that flush continuously due to a lack of controls.

Without sensors or timer-based regulation, urinals can run unnecessarily throughout the day. This is particularly common in public and leisure facilities, where usage is high and monitoring is limited.

Simple upgrades, such as installing water management systems, can make a significant difference in reducing unnecessary consumption.

High-flow taps without restrictors

Nearly all of our EcoMOT’s reveal high-flow taps without restrictors as a recurring problem. Taps, which lack a flow control device or an aerator, usually produce a much higher amount of water than is required on a daily basis – contributing to water waste and higher bills.

This problem is common across kitchens, washrooms and bathrooms, leading to constant overuse throughout the day. Luckily, a simple fix here involves installing flow restrictors, which cost very little but deliver immediate results.