H2O Building Services articles

Although water underpins every aspect of life in the 21st century, it remains one of the least discussed aspects of the climate crisis, even now. And when the topic is discussed, much of the focus is placed on water quantity… but it’s just as important to put water quality centre stage, as well. 

In the UK, the issue of water quality has been increasingly coming to the fore over the last few years or so, with no single stretch of river in either England or Northern I

A Business Water Audit is a comprehensive assessment of how a business uses and pays for water and wastewater.

It involves analysing water and wastewater bills, infrastructure, and usage patterns to identify inefficiencies, potential cost savings, and opportunities for water conservation and reducing water consumption and wastewater discharges.

The Business Water audit aims to ensure accurate billi

Water audit surveys are assessments that analyse how water is used in a facility or system to identify inefficiencies, potential water savings, and opportunities for improvement.

These audits are similar to energy audits but focus on water consumption and management.

They involve examining water usage, bills, infrastructure, and practices to create a detailed picture of water consumption and r

As the last few weeks have demonstrated, with the driest start to spring seen since 1893 and the warmest June on record for England, the UK should perhaps start bracing itself now for what the future holds. 

As temperatures continue to climb in line with climate change and as we continue to see increased urbanisation, pollution a

United Utilities provides water and wastewater services to the north-west of England from Crewe to Carlisle, with the catchment area including reservoirs in both the Lake District and the Pennines, serving around 7.3 million people and managing more than 56,000 hectares of land, protecting water quality and maintaining the natural environment.

As with the majority of firms, however, United Utilities’ environmental track record is somewhat chequered, with industry regulator Ofwat

Water quality around the UK is a topic under much discussion these days, with supplies at risk from a range of different pollution sources, including agriculture, urban environments, storm overflows, wastewater, sewage treatment works, transport runoff and so on.

In the north-east of England, water supplies are delivered by Northumbrian Water, with the company’s overall performance rated as average by industry regulator Ofwat relative to other firms in the sector.

For

For many UK businesses, water supplies are relatively straightforward, with a mains connection or established piping linking the premises with the source. However, this is not always the case.

For companies close to water infrastructure, it may be simple enough to get connected and while problems like leaks can occur, they should mostly be simple enough to rectify.

These issues are relatively simple in comparison with the challenges faced by those in remote locations, where an

The UK’s water industry is in disarray, this cannot be denied. Water bills are on the rise, as are pollution levels and illegal sewage discharges by suppliers. Dividends are being handed out in record amounts, despite a lack of investment in much-needed infrastructure… and both the general public and the environment are bearing the brunt of it all.

Since the industry was privatised back in 1989, the water company web of ownership has become increasingly complicated, with

Although many of the UK’s water suppliers have been coming under fire in recent years for water mismanagement and causing damage to the environment, one of the biggest culprits in this regard is South West Water, which delivers supplies to 1.8 million customers in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.

In April 2023, the company was handed down 

The UK’s water network has served the nation well since the late 18th century or thereabouts, which is when piped water was supplied to the majority of the country.

Every day, more than 50 million domestic and commercial properties receive water, sanitation and drainage services across England and Wales which, undoubtedly, is no mean feat and certainly something to be celebrated.