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Water use and efficiency

This guidance is relevant to you if your activities involve abstracting surface water or groundwater.

If your business only uses water from the mains supply, read the good practice guidance provided below on water efficiency.

What you must do

In England and Wales, if you abstract more than 20 cubic metres (m3) of water per day from ground or surface waters, you must obtain an abstraction licence from the Environment Agency. If you abstract more than 20m3 per day without a licence you are committing an offence and the Environment Agency may take legal action against you.

In Northern Ireland, if you abstract more than 20m3 of water per day, you must obtain an abstraction licence from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

If you abstract less than 20m3 of water per day you do not need an abstraction licence if you:

  • can demonstrate the volume of water you abstract
  • minimise water leaks, and
  • prevent any contamination or pollution.

If you abstract between 10m3 and 20m3 of water per day you must contact NIEA. If you abstract less than 10m3 you do not need to contact NIEA.

In Scotland, you must obtain authorisation from SEPA if you abstract more than 10m3 of water per day.  If you abstract 10m3 or less of water per day and comply with certain General Binding Rules (GBR) you do not need to contact SEPA.

Good practice

Becoming more water efficient may save you money, as well as reduce the impact your business has on the environment.

Many businesses pay more for water and associated costs than they need to. As well as paying for the water you use, your total water costs include:

  • Disposal costs for wastewater, either as a percentage of the amount of water you use or by the strength of your effluent.
  • Losses due to leaks and wasteful appliances.
  • The energy you use to heat or cool water.
  • Staff time spent wasting water, for example excessive washing down.
  • Meter size charges. Your water supplier sizes your meter by estimating the amount of water you use. If you have a larger than necessary meter you will be charged more than you need to be.

Water efficiency – general

  • Regularly check your water meter. Any sudden or unexplained increase in water use can indicate a leak.
  • Repair any dripping taps as soon as possible.
  • When you purchase new equipment, choose the most water-efficient option. This could save you money in the long term and you may be able to benefit from tax breaks such as enhanced capital allowances.

Water efficiency in bathrooms and toilets

  • Consider fitting flow restrictors to taps in washrooms.
  • Ensure that when you install new toilets they are water efficient, eg they are installed with a dual flush.
  • Reduce the quantity of water used by older toilet cisterns. You could do this by placing a brick or a couple of water-filled 1 litre plastic bottles into the cistern. This will reduce your water consumption without reducing the quality of the flush. You could also use a ‘hippo’ to save money.

Further information