The environmental impact of wasted water on your business
Monday 2nd June 2025
Failing to make the most of your commercial water supply fully could be costing more than just money
As concerns over climate change become increasingly central to business practices, organisations of all sizes across a range of sectors are being forced to consider how they can act responsibly, reduce impact and become more sustainable.
This relates to every aspect of a business, including water waste. The UK Environment Agency reports that the business water consumption accounts for around a third of all water consumption across the country, meaning wasted water doesn’t just increase operational costs, it can also substantially increase your commercial carbon footprint.
With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the environmental impact of wasted water on your business, and how you can reduce it.
The environmental footprint of water waste
A leaky tap, older infrastructure or small water inefficiencies may not seem like an urgent business issue, especially with the daily to-do list to contend with, but every drop of wasted water can increase business costs and grow your carbon footprint.
Bear in mind that just one leaky toilet on a premises can waste up to 400 litres of water each day – that’s 146,000 litres a year. And the consequences of this can be severe. From energy used during water treatment and delivery to the depletion of natural resources, long-term wastage can impact ecosystems and communities.
In fact, the Carbon Trust reports that water use accounts for up to 10% of an organisation’s total carbon footprint, with treating and pumping water often sourced from fossil fuels.
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What should your business do about water wastage?
Protecting the environment isn’t just the right thing to do as a business, it’s also the smart thing. Failing to monitor your water usage and address any inefficiencies can lead to unnecessary water waste and increased environmental damage, and this can spell bad news for your business reputation.
Last year, a survey by PwC found that the general public are willing to spend an average of 9.7% more on sustainably produced or sourced goods, even as cost-of-living and inflationary concerns weigh. This shows that today’s consumers and collaborators within the business landscape want to align themselves with organisations that can demonstrate a clear commitment to corporate social responsibility, and this includes identifying and addressing water inefficiencies.
How can you reduce your water waste?
Thankfully for business owners, reducing water waste across your organisation is as achievable as it is rewarding. Here are a few key steps you can take to cut down your water waste and shrink your commercial carbon footprint.
Auditing
Conducting regular audits of your water usage can help you identify any leaks, inefficient fixtures, or areas where water is being used unnecessarily. Having this information clarified allows you to put actions in place to reduce your commercial water usage.
Tech
We’re living in a tech-savvy age, and this has impacted the water industry just as much as any other. Modern tech is available to make your business’ water usage more efficient, including low-flow taps and automated irrigation systems. Installing these can make a big difference.
Training
Changing daily habits – like turning off taps and reducing appliance usage – can add up to big water savings, but only if everyone within your organisation is on board. Put some time aside to communicate and educate employees on water conservation steps they can take.
Switching supplier
Businesses looking to optimise their water usage should consider making a business water switch. Many commercial utilities providers offer plans focused on sustainability, designed to be both cost-effective and to encourage water conservation. If you’ve been with the same provider for a significant length of time, it might be a sign that you should explore the market and switch business water supplier to maximise value and minimise environmental impact.
