Auditing your water usage: understanding consumption and saving money
Tuesday 1st July 2025
At Everflow, we work with organisations of all sizes who are keen to manage their utilities more effectively. After all, it’s business overheads that eat away at overall profitability if not managed carefully.
One of the most common – and often overlooked – ways to cut operational costs and support sustainability goals is very simply by auditing water usage. Often, it’s energy consumption that grabs the attention within companies but it’s fair to say that tracking and managing water usage has an important role to play too.
Whether you’re running a small retail unit or managing a large multi-site industrial operation, understanding how, where, and when you use water is the first step to reducing unnecessary waste and keeping your bills under control.
Why water audits matter
Water is a variable cost that can creep up without notice if it isn’t closely monitored. Leaks, inefficient appliances, outdated infrastructure and poor usage habits can all contribute to unnecessarily high bills. A water audit helps you understand your business’s current consumption, identify unusual usage patterns, and pinpoint areas where savings can be made.
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What is a water audit?
A water audit is a systematic review of your business’s water consumption. It involves analysing your historical billing data, assessing water use across different parts of your operations, and inspecting for leaks or inefficiencies. The audit might be carried out in-house or with the help of a specialist partner, and it typically covers:
- Meter readings and data logging: tracking usage over time to identify trends or spikes.
- Appliance and equipment checks: reviewing water fixtures like taps, toilets, dishwashers, or cooling systems for efficiency.
- Site inspections: checking for hidden leaks or faults in underground pipes and fittings.
- Benchmarking: comparing usage against similar businesses to see where you stand.
What are the benefits of auditing your water usage?
Taking the time to conduct a water audit can have both immediate and long-term benefits. These include:
- Lower bills: by identifying leaks or inefficient processes, organisations can often implement quick wins that significantly reduce consumption.
- Leak detection: even small leaks can result in thousands of litres of wasted water each year – and your business will be paying for every drop.
- Informed decision-making: with accurate data, you can make smarter choices around upgrades or process changes.
- Environmental impact: reducing water waste supports your business’s sustainability goals and can contribute to improved ESG reporting.
How Everflow can help
As a leading UK water supplier and a champion of driving environmental standards in the water industry, we provide more than just billing transparency at Everflow. We can help you access water efficiency services, carry out audits, and interpret your usage data to make informed decisions.
If your consumption seems higher than expected, or if your bills have changed unexpectedly, we’re here to help investigate.
If you’re not ready for a full audit yet, here are a few things you can do today to start reducing consumption even before you get our help:
- Read your water meter regularly – This helps track your actual usage and spot issues early.
- Check for leaks – Toilets and underground pipes are common culprits.
- Educate your team – Encourage staff to report dripping taps or running toilets.
- Install water-efficient appliances – Low-flow taps, dual-flush toilets, and water-saving dishwashers all make a difference.
Ready to take control of your water?
A water audit is a smart step for any business looking to cut costs, reduce waste, and operate more sustainably. If you’d like to explore your water usage in more detail or book a usage review, get in touch with our team. We’re here to help you make every drop count.
