SES Water rolls out water saving visits in schools repairing hundreds of hidden leaks for free

23/09/21

In the past year SES Water has repaired 360 leaks in 89 schools across its supply area, helping to save nearly 320,000 litres of water per day.

At the same time, more than 1,000 water saving devices have been fitted in the schools for free, including: 561 ‘save a flush’ bags, which reduce the amount of water needed to flush a toilet each time, 419 tap inserts, which regulate the water flow rate, 58 urinal flush controls and 25 water efficient showerheads.

SES Water has partnered with the plumbing specialists team at environmental charity Groundwork to deliver the water saving visits, which are booked in with the schools directly. The Groundwork team conducts a full and thorough survey of the premises, checking all internal water systems, taps, toilets, urinals, bathroom and kitchen areas.

If any leaks are found they are repaired for free during the visit and a follow up report is then shared with the school, outlining what has been fitted or fixed and how much water has been saved.

Water Strategy Manager at SES Water, Alison Murphy, said: “We are pleased to be providing this important service to schools in our area and would encourage you to contact us if you are yet to have a visit. Booking is simple and could potentially help save you water and energy, not to mention money on your bills. One leaking toilet alone, for example, could be adding around £300 a year onto your water bill. If we all save a little, together we all save a lot. Every drop really does count.”

Managing Director of Waterwise, Nicci Russell, said: “What a great service for SES Water to provide to its local schools! I'd seriously encourage all schools to book a visit in - you could be wasting so much water without knowing it, particularly (though not only) if your school is an older building. You can link the visit to your Eco Council and spend any money saved on resources for your children, while helping the UK adapt to climate change. What's not to like?!”

Tadgh, School Business Manager at St Teresa’s, Merton, said: “It was a marvellous service. Following the visit our night time waste reduced from 800 litres per hour to more or less nothing.

“In addition to a number of smaller issues, loads of hippo bags and other efficiency improvements, Groundwork found a 68 litre per hour leak. This will save us the £2k gas-based investigation costs and perhaps more in other follow up costs.

“After receiving the report we shared with all schools in the Borough and would very much recommend to other schools.”

If you work for or know a school in SES Water’s supply area which could benefit from a water saving visit, please call 0808 196 8711 or email ses.water@groundwork.org.uk to arrange a time that suits you.