Academies, universities, colleges and schools find extra budget boosts in easy actions with their water
With the new term underway, there’s extra help on-hand to give a boost to public sector budgets and cut utility costs.
Small actions at buildings and slight adjustments to how water’s used are delivering significant savings, helping running costs and managing the growing cost challenges in the public sector.
And free resources and an upcoming free on-demand webinar are there to make reducing costs easy.
Public Sector Sustainability Association member Water Plus is sharing how savings can stack up quickly, for public sector sites seizing opportunities.
It’s seen student accommodation reducing running costs, with one site shaving more than 15,300 litres off daily estimated water use in 2025, which would cut more than £200 off water costs in just five days. This was through Water Plus engagement and some small efficiency actions at the site.
The water saving’s equal to 255 5-minute showers, or 190 bathtubs filled with 80 litres of water each.
Another school, part of an Academy Trust, had Water Plus help which led to 18 tap leaks located and repaired, in 2025, seeing an 1,840 litres a day estimated saving.
John Clarke, a Senior Key Account Manager with 2025 UK Customer Satisfaction Award winner Water Plus that works with education and other public sector organisations, said: “Just taking a few small extra steps in the academic year can add up to significant savings as a range of locations have already found in 2025.
“It’s worth looking closer at how water’s used and small and smart changes that are easy to make, to free up more funds for equipment for children and staff costs.”
Other public sector sites that have cut running costs in 2025 also include:
- A college campus was helped by Water Plus to take up efficiency opportunities, saving more than 4,800 litres of estimated daily water use in 2025.
- One school had 12 leaks located and repaired in 2025, saving an estimated 540 litres of water a day, with another seeing 8 leaks stopped, saving 928 litres in estimated use.
- Efficiency devices have also delivered big benefits, with two controllers for urinal flushing saving an estimated 2,218 litres of water a day for just one school. A primary school also saw 2,112 litres of water a day saved from extra controls.
- Four other schools reduced use cutting more than 7,900 litres off estimated daily water use this year and one university site saved 302 litres, from small efficiency actions.
20 schools made savings on water costs from the actions taken between 7th Jan 2025 and 3rd March 2025.
As there are carbon emissions linked to all water used at schools, other public sector buildings including hospitals and universities alongside at businesses too, lower water use also reduces carbon footprints.
Using less hot water can save energy and cut running costs further too.
And with wholesaler price increases for water, that landed in April 2025, there’s even more reason to look at smarter ways to save water and reduce utility costs, including tracking water use throughout the year.
Ready to reduce utility costs and improve operational performance?
Our experienced team at Water Plus have helped public sector sites unlock significant savings in water and boost efficiencies.
- For water audits, tracking technology, or to explore efficiency options, contact: advancedservices@water-plus.co.uk
- Reach out to: hello@water-plus.co.uk to partner with our team.
- Explore more insights and services at: www.water-plus.co.uk/better-ways-with-water
Follow Water Plus on LinkedIn for regular tips and case studies.
Thirsty to find out more and gain more know-how right now?
See this PSSA article for more on how other public sector sites are taking actions in 2025 around water management.
