Non-Household Water Efficiency Scheme
Duration: March 2026
Background
Groundwork have been commissioned by United Utilities to survey schools and business to check whether they were using more water than they needed to and provide a helping hand if so.
What we’re doing
Groundwork Green Doctors visit schools and businesses, and within a single day visit, are able to identify where excess water is being wasted.
The common water efficiency problems spotted by the Green Doctors include dripping taps, leaks within toilet bowls and water flow rates that are higher than necessary. Once these issues have been identified, they are fixed by a qualified plumber to stop water being wasted.
The Green Doctors also look for opportunities to fit water saving devices, such as tap aerators, displacement bags in toilet cisterns, shower flow regulators and urinal controls.
Once the visit and fixes are completed, a water saving report is sent to show the types of leaks that were identified and the estimated water savings, along with any advice for ongoing management.
Only schools and businesses in specific localities are able to access this support. You will be contacted by United Utilities and/or the Groundwork team directly if this is the case.
Typical outcomes
When this programme was undertaken as a pilot project in 2022/23, all participating schools improved their water efficiency following a visit from Groundworkâs Green Doctors with estimated savings ranging from 33 ltrs to 77,331 ltrs per school per day.
By carrying out basic repairs and introducing a few simple measures such as save a flush devices and tap inserts, schools are saving both water and money which is good news for them and the environment
Alice Denholm, Water Efficiency Delivery Manager, United Utilities
Thanks to our funders
This work has been made possible thanks to funding from United Utilities
