Savings flow from water efficiency project

Since 2023, we’ve saved almost 66,000 cubic metres of water – enough to fill 26 Olympic-sized swimming pools – thanks to new technology installed in council buildings to detect water leaks and high-water usage.

The energy and water team have put automated meter read (AMR) devices onto 70 selected sites across the council’s estate, including schools and offices, as part of our water efficiency programme.

Since the monitoring started in 2023, the AMRs have sent 44 high-consumption alerts to sites notifying them of high usage.

So far, the monitoring has saved the council and schools £249,000.

Saving water and money

Councillor Tim Rowkins, deputy leader and Cabinet lead for Net Zero, said: “These monitoring devices send readings to our energy and water team every 15 minutes, which means we can pick up on leaks much faster than we would have without them.

“It’s also enabled us to find other opportunities to save water, such as water-efficient appliances in our public toilets and rainwater harvesting on allotments.

“The cost of water and wastewater has risen by 48% this year, so it’s essential we identify and tackle any water wastage promptly.

“Reducing our water consumption and demand also reduces carbon emissions and helps ease pressure on the wider local water network.”

Saving water reduces carbon emissions, as every cubic meter of water supplied and treated contributes to 0.34kg of CO2e.

Examples of water saving 

Water leaks that the equipment has picked up include a burst pipe in Preston Park chalet. Had it not been discovered and dealt with quickly, a staggering 2,300 litres an hour would have poured down the drains and added an extra £1,740 a week to the council’s water bill.

Another leak on a urinal discovered in a school saved £990 a month being added to the school’s water bill.

The council has also carried out water saving audits on 17 sites using Southern Water’s free scheme; we are also piloting rainwater harvesting on two allotment sites.