Retail business resource efficiency

Water is a precious commodity that is often taken for granted by many retail businesses. However, making even small changes to your business can save water and reduce your costs. 

The actions your business can take to reduce its water use could include:

• taking regular and accurate meter readings to track your overall water use
• detecting leaks and overflows within your business
• ensuring key members of staff know how to isolate your water supply
• assessing water pressure as high pressure can result in excessive water use and cause leaks
• fitting a quarter-turn isolation valve to regulate water flow
• reducing heat loss or gain by not running hot and cold pipes close together
• reducing the amount of water used for cleaning and rinsing
• making a commitment to use less water as part of your business' environmental policy
• setting targets to reduce water use

There are a number of simple and cost-effective technologies that you can use to reduce water use in your business. These devices include:

• cistern volume adjusters and low-volume flush cisterns
• proximity sensors fitted in urinals
• hand detectors on taps
• rainwater collection
• sub-metering on individual washrooms to analyse use

For more information, see water reviews, policies and action plans and save water at commercial premises.