Water Audits

Water audit process

Third-party water audits vary in scope and are tailored to the client’s operational complexity. While self-conducted audits can save time and money, they may overlook critical assessment areas without specialised expertise. Professional audit costs vary based on factors such as location, business size and type, and these details will be discussed and agreed upon directly with the business before starting the process. After submitting your request through the form, we will typically respond within three working days to collect additional information and outline the next steps. A professional water audit is a great starting point for any business looking to reduce water bills, offering expert analysis and advanced tools. They typically follow a structured four-step process highlighted below.

1. Preliminary desktop analysis. This is the first step in understanding the business water consumption by reviewing water bills and analysing past water usage and costs to identify discrepancies. For multisite businesses, collecting bills from all locations and suppliers provides full visibility and control over water expenses. Identifying discrepancies and inefficiencies by comparing billing and usage data reveals cost-saving opportunities, including overcharges and water reduction areas. This step also involves benchmarking of your water usage against similar businesses and industry averages to identify potential cost-saving opportunities and help optimise water usage. Finally, water surveys are used to collect data on how water is used at each of the sites to compare actual usage with the bills and derive valuable conclusions.
2. Site visit. After the preliminary desktop analysis, a site visit is conducted, which involves physical assessment of facilities to identify inefficiencies, leaks, and billing discrepancies, with tailored recommendations to optimise water consumption and reduce waste. This thorough site inspection includes checking key charging determinants, including meter sizes, trade effluent structure, drainage assessments, and return-to-sewer allowances. The visit includes consultation with the staff to assess current water practices and identify opportunities for training and improvement. Additionally, it evaluates your water network, systems, fixtures, pipelines and thoroughly examines all aspects of a business’s water use on site, to identify inefficiencies and reduce costs.
3. Water audit report. The water audit process concludes with a comprehensive report, which summarises findings – issues, analysis results, and actionable recommendations for improvement. The audit specialist will compile the survey data, highlighting issues like excess consumption and areas with low efficiency. The report may also suggest additional water efficiency solutions such as leak detection, rainwater harvesting, or greywater recycling. It will list recommended practices, water-saving devices, and potential leak repair needs. Finally, the report will provide an estimate of implementation costs, potential savings, and return on investment.
4. Implementation and maintenance. Once the audit recommendations are adopted, the company will implement changes with guidance from water audit specialists, following a clearly defined roadmap. Implementation may involve the use of water-saving devices, smart systems, and water recycling solutions. Effective water management strategies are crucial for addressing inefficiencies, repairing leaks, and establishing improvement targets to reduce consumption and costs. Employee engagement and training are key to sustaining efficiency, while partnering with water technology providers can further optimise performance. Post-implementation measures ensure sustained water savings and the continuous identification of new opportunities. These measures include educating employees on water conservation practices and fostering a culture of sustainability, which helps improve efficiency over time. Regular monitoring of water usage and bills is essential to assess the effectiveness of changes and identify further savings opportunities. Ongoing checks and maintenance of water meters and equipment are also crucial to staying proactive in conservation efforts. Upgrading to advanced metering systems provides real-time, accurate data that enhances leak detection, billing, and overall operational efficiency. Additionally, exploring water reuse options, such as rainwater collection or greywater systems can further reduce costs. Finally, combining water management strategies with sustainability certifications can support green initiatives and deliver long-term cost savings.