Blog: Why Building Managers Should Treat Water Like Electricity

Introduction

When managing a building, utilities like electricity and gas are often closely monitored, carefully budgeted, and promptly addressed when issues arise. But there’s one essential resource that frequently slips under the radar – water. Despite being just as vital, and just as costly when wasted, water usage is rarely given the same attention as other utilities. That needs to change!

You Wouldn’t Leave the Lights On Overnight…

Imagine walking past an empty office block at night with every light still blazing. It would seem wasteful, even irresponsible. So why is it still so common for water to be flowing constantly from urinals or toilets in unoccupied buildings?

This unseen, often unmonitored water use can add up to thousands of litres wasted every day, especially in commercial or public buildings with older or poorly managed washroom systems.

The Hidden Problem: Water Waste in Commercial Buildings

Unlike electricity, water waste often goes undetected because it’s invisible once it’s down the drain. A constantly flushing urinal or dripping cistern doesn’t set off alarms or flicker like a lightbulb left on, but the financial costs and environmental impact are very real.

Here’s the problem:

Urinals flushing 24/7 can use up to 315,000 litres of water per year – per unit.
Leaky WCs and taps can waste hundreds of litres a day without anyone noticing.
In many commercial settings, up to 30% of total water usage is from urinals alone.

The Cost of Water Waste – In Pounds and Carbon

Let’s break it down:

Water bills: With rising water costs, unchecked water waste is hitting bottom lines harder than ever. A single unmanaged urinal could cost over £600 a year in water charges.
Environmental impact: Treating and pumping water uses energy, which means unnecessary water use leads to unnecessary carbon emissions. According to Waterwise, every cubic metre (1,000 litres) of water used creates 344kg of CO₂e. That means 315,000 litres wasted is equivalent to 108kg of CO₂e – per urinal, per year.
Sustainability goals: For buildings working toward ESG or Net Zero targets, water waste is a silent barrier to progress.

The Solution: Smarter Water Management with Cistermiser

Cistermiser’s intelligent water-saving solutions help building managers take back control of their water usage – just like they already do with electricity and heating.

Here’s how:

Infrared sensors detect usage and only flush when necessary – no more unnecessary out-of-hours flushing.
Timed and hydraulic controls manage flow based on actual use, not constant flushing cycles.
Easy installation with minimal disruption means buildings can upgrade without overhaul.
Instant savings on water bills and quick ROI make it a smart investment.

By using Cistermiser products, facilities can cut water consumption by up to 80%, reduce carbon emissions, and improve compliance with sustainability standards.

Conclusion

It’s time to start treating water with the same care and scrutiny we give to electricity. Waste is waste – whether it’s light, heat or water – and ignoring it costs money and damages the environment.

With Cistermiser’s range of smart, effective water-saving products, you can stop flushing money away, improve sustainability, and take control of your building’s hidden utility cost.

Ready to make your building water-wise? Get in touch with Cistermiser to find the right solution for your business, learn more here.