5 questions facilities managers should be asking about water this summer

Millions of us look forward to the warmer months of the year. But by the back end of the summer, higher temperatures have often caused their fair share of challenges. Of course, we’ve all seen this first hand in the UK over the course of 2026 as recent droughts have led to scorched land and well-documented water shortages. 

Let’s take a closer look at how hot conditions impact businesses and 5 questions facility managers should be asking about water this summer.

2. Are our water fixtures operating efficiently?

Ask yourself when you last took the time to review the taps, toilets, showers and kitchen equipment across your estate?

Older fixtures may consume significantly more water than newer fixtures and fittings – even though there may be upfront costs to fitting newer replacements, the savings that can be made over time will most likely outweigh the initial investment.

That doesn’t mean replacing everything immediately. Start by identifying your highest-use areas and consider whether relatively simple measures such as tap aerators could reduce consumption.

3. Do we actually know how much water we’re using?

You can’t effectively manage something you aren’t measuring, so it’s always advisable to begin by reviewing water bills regularly and comparing consumption month by month – just as you would compare business water prices when coming to renew your contract. Look for spikes that can’t easily be explained by changes in occupancy, production or weather.

Smart water meters can provide an even clearer picture by giving businesses greater visibility over when water is being consumed. Monitoring in this way can turn water management from a reactive exercise into something much more proactive. 

4. Are we prepared for hot weather and water shortages?

Hot, dry summers put significant pressure on the country’s water resources and drought conditions this year have highlighted the importance of businesses thinking ahead.

For facilities managers, this means considering how sites would respond to prolonged hot weather or restrictions on water availability – an essential aspect of any business continuity plan.

As part of this process, teams should check cooling systems are operating efficiently and identify any processes that could be particularly vulnerable to water shortages.

A little preparation now can contribute to much greater resilience later. 

5. Is water efficiency part of our sustainability strategy?

Water shouldn’t be viewed purely as another utility bill – even though it has a key role to play in monthly business overheads. Water consumption is also central to an organisation’s environmental footprint – both in terms of direct water costs and also the carbon emissions associated with ongoing water consumption.

That’s why water efficiency initiatives should become an ongoing part of your sustainability strategy rather than something you only consider when there’s a drought. By setting targets, measuring consumption and identifying opportunities to improve water efficiency, your company can make meaningful steps towards becoming more sustainable. 

Need help reducing water waste?

For facilities managers, the objective isn’t simply to use as little water as possible. It’s to make sure the water your organisation does use is being used effectively.

That can include understanding consumption and taking the opportunity to compare business water arrangements alongside improving efficiency.

At Everflow, we can help businesses uncover inefficiencies and identify practical opportunities to reduce waste and costs. Because when you’re managing an entire building or estate, even relatively small improvements can add up to substantial savings.