With the hottest start to May on record, for the UK, following the driest March in England since 1961 – and analysis showing water scarcity risks ahead, without action – there’s never been a better time for businesses to dive into the opportunities to save water.

And the great news is that businesses are seeing results from smart water actions that help the bottom line – and can assist with navigating the various evolving challenges they are facing.

Sben members Water Plus – multi award-winners for water management and a UK Customer Award winner, in 2025 – share the essential steps for businesses to take to keep water supplies flowing efficiently and cost effectively.

1. Explore and drive more efficiencies in your operation

Small actions can really add up to bigger savings and efficiencies – and there’s a clear business case for this too.

A whopping 48% water saving’s already been seen at a site in Staffordshire, in 2025, on average daily water use – after small, low-cost water efficiency devices were installed, through services Water Plus can provide.

They’ve cut use by 7,480 litres per day, reducing wholesaler water costs at the site by more than £12,400 – for estimated water use across 12 months. That’d fill 29,920 cups of tea, holding 250ml each, a day!

With more efficiency devices now on taps at the sites, it’s cutting the amount of hot water needed, which reduces energy use too.

Water reuse – from rainwater harvesting to using heated water multiple times at sites – can be another great way to reduce water consumption and cost.

While a bigger initial cost may be involved introducing these approaches and devices that change the way water’s used, the payback time can quickly give a return on investment through increased efficiencies and a reduction in other costs.

And with wholesaler price increases for water, seen in April 2025, there’s even more reasons to look at ways to reduce water use in your operation.

2. Check on your sites regularly to cut out water waste and control costs 

Regular site checks and noting water meter readings during the year, if safe to, are important steps to do at least every month, if not weekly, as part of your usual business maintenance and facilities routines.

To help with this, data loggers on water meters can save time, by taking away the need for walkarounds and noting readings at sites.

And – as they can feed information into an online analysis portal – they can spot issues and opportunities early, helping keep control on costs and allowing any water issues to be addressed quickly.

In fact, one location, in a hotel chain, has reduced water use in 2025 – with an estimated £48k saving across 12 months in running costs – after enhanced water data and the proactive approach and customer service through the Water Plus team.

The site was seeing an extra 1,900 litres per hour of water use, a data logger feeding information into an online analysis portal, Water Plus can provide, showed – with a site visit locating and fixing an underground leak from a pipe supplying a staff accommodation building.

No further leaks were located during the visit, in April 2025, after our services sprung into action to help the customer.

Increases in water use in six other locations have also been highlighted to the multi-site customer, with site visits happening to reduce overall water use.

And reducing any areas of water waste also helps keep water supplies flowing for everyone.

3. Engage employees to boost business results

You have extra eyes and minds amongst your employees who can suggest ways water can be used more effectively at your site and operation – as well as spot any water issues that you need to address promptly. Let them know how they can report any issues that need attention and how they can share ideas to use water more efficiently and effectively.

Sharing ways to save water at work – and at home – will also help your employees and your business too. And at Water Plus we have further information and resources that can help with smart water management and water saving actions at your business.

As there are carbon emissions linked to all water used at businesses and public sector sites, increasing water-saving overall can help with sustainability and decarbonisation goals too and progress towards Net Zero.

4. Plan for the future with water resources at your site

A water contingency plan for your sites means you’re more prepared for water supply interruptions, which could have the potential to stop production, suspend services, and harm revenue streams. See more

Sites seeing consistent leaks can also have a review of their pipework, through Water Plus’s services, checking integrity and pressure.

This identifies if any water pipes need replacing and helps business contingency planning and resilience – as leaks on site water pipes can stop water flows, causing interruptions to operations.

So, don’t delay: See the ways to save, today – and protect your business

To tap into bigger business efficiencies to cut operating costs, energy use and carbon in 2025, through small water efficiency actions, water audits and leak find and fix services, contact: advancedservices@water-plus.co.uk.

To partner with Water Plus, for water retail services, contact: hello@water-plus.co.uk.

More tips and details on services Water Plus can provide at: water-plus.co.uk/better-ways-with-water