CCW highlights untapped potential for business water saving

57% of English and Welsh businesses have not taken any steps to save water, CCW’s latest non-household tracking survey Testing the waters has found.

While 43% had, the research suggested more was possible. 35% of businesses expressed an interest in learning how to make water savings, rising to almost 60% of the largest businesses.

Christina Blackwell, head of business customers, said: “Our research shows there remains considerable untapped potential to help businesses of all sizes save water through empowering them with the practical support and advice they need to take action.

“Every contact a retailer or water company has with a business customer is an opportunity to provide them with advice and guidance on reducing their water use and help them to save money off their bills. The scale of the challenge we face in tackling water scarcity means we cannot afford to miss these opportunities.”

CCW is running a workshop for wholesalers and retailers to promote better communication with non-household customers around water efficiency, including on making good use of the growing volume of smart meter data.

A number of retailers make water efficiency a central plank of their proposition and report on savings delivered. Commenting on the CCW findings, Scott MacIndeor, who heads up the technical water efficiencies team at Water Plus, said: “We’ve been continuing work in the industry, this year, to deliver water-saving across sectors, at scale, as we build on the 2023 action to set blueprints for more effective approaches that deliver more benefits for customers, that we designed and led on.

“We’re also continuing – and increasing – our Be Wise On Water awareness-raising activity, alongside enhancements for customers and helping food and drink manufacturers and others find efficiencies with water and their approaches with trade effluent, that are unlocking energy savings and carbon reductions too.”

Elsewhere, the 2024 version of the two-yearly Testing the waters report found: 

• Overall satisfaction with water (89%) and sewerage (83%) services has largely remained the same since 2022, and has not followed declines seen among households.

• Satisfaction with retail services has fallen every survey cycle, and now stands at 63% in England, but much higher (84%) in Wales. 

• 57% of businesses in England are aware of the water retail market. There are significant differences by business size, with three-quarters of the largest businesses aware, compared to half of micro businesses.

• Over 40% of the largest businesses have switched or renegotiated compared to just over 30% of micro businesses. Those who have switched or renegotiated say they have since received better value for money.