Looking closer at water use – and harnessing people power at sites – can help with the progress being made to achieve net zero across healthcare. Green Apple Environment Award winner and water retailer Water Plus, shows how small steps can all add up to bigger results.
In England and Scotland, water retailers engage with and communicate with customers – who are not households – and provide water and wastewater services including billing. Water wholesalers manage the water network and supply water to sites and take wastewater away.
Harnessing people power at healthcare sites can deliver wider benefits
An independent survey, commissioned by Water Plus, found 70% of public sector workers in England (and 62% in Scotland) said their employer could do more to encourage them to reduce their water consumption while at work*.
Water Plus is working with an NHS Trust, which is stepping up its water saving and raising awareness among staff, to help lower impacts on the environment, lower running costs and help the NHS to their Net Zero target. Water is under Scope 3 emissions – and there are carbon emissions linked to all water used at sites.
Scott MacIndeor, Head of Advanced Services at Water Plus, joined the audience for the Water Efficiency in Healthcare Buildings webinar – part of elemental’s Decarbonising Healthcare Digital Festival.
He said:
“Getting more detail on what water is used where at sites and how site use and building use may have changed, can all help to spot opportunities for action on reducing water use where it’s not needed. Data loggers on water meters, that can provide regular updates on an online portal, are a good way of looking closer at water use.
“There are a variety of solutions out there around how water is used – and it’s important to understand what would work best for your site when it comes to water efficiency measures – and seek experts for projects and installing kit. It’s also vital to make sure any changes around how water is used complies with the relevant laws and byelaws in place, like the Water Fittings Regulations, Water Industry Act and others.”
Regular site checks and maintenance
A total of 92% of people from private sector and public sector organisations who completed an online poll, in January 2022, said they wouldn’t know if there was an underground leak at their organisation**.
Regular servicing and maintenance of taps, toilets and urinals – as well as any water efficiency devices in buildings – is important, so it’s known they’re working properly and no water’s being wasted.
Along with regular monitoring of water use at sites, knowing what to do and where you’d get water if you need it is essential. It’s also important to consider if your staff and those visiting or using your site would know who to alert if they saw a water leak.
Scott said:
“Regular maintenance of water pipes and fittings at sites, including healthcare, is very important as it keeps water flowing efficiently, reduces the chance of supply interruptions on-site and can spot issues early to prevent continuing increases in costs.
“If there’s a water issue at site, it’s the responsibility of the site owner to keep their pipes maintained and to take action if anything needs attention, just like homeowners.
“We manage the water and wastewater services for many public sector organisations, including some of the largest and most diverse in the UK – such as councils, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and the emergency services – so we understand their different needs and drivers and we’ve helped organisations make significant savings across their portfolio, reducing water use and contributing to their sustainability aims and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
You can find out more about Water Plus and how it’s helping organisations here.
You can watch the elemental Decarbonising Healthcare Buildings series on demand, here: crowdcast.io/elemental
* To gather the data in this report, 500 people working in the public sector (250 from Scotland and 250 from England) and 500 people working in businesses (250 from Scotland and 250 from England) were surveyed. The research was conducted by independent survey consultant, Censuswide, in May 2019.
** Online survey during presentation, in January 2022. 26 responses on survey question.
