As businesses across the UK brace for significant rises in water bills this year, Cistermiser, one of the UK’s leading providers of water and energy saving management solutions, is urging facilities managers and building operators to rethink how water is used - and wasted - within commercial buildings.
For facilities and estates managers, hospitality operators and anyone managing non-domestic premises, water efficiency is no longer just about sustainability -it’s rapidly becoming a bottom-line issue.
The regulator Ofwat has already signalled that average water bills are expected to rise year-on-year, driven by infrastructure investment and climate-related pressures. This means that commercial organisations could soon see thousands added to their annual utility spend unless action is taken to reduce unnecessary consumption.
One of the most overlooked areas of waste is in the washroom - particularly through uncontrolled or inefficient flushing systems. In many buildings, urinals and toilets continue to flush unnecessarily when not in use or rely on outdated technologies that prioritise performance over efficiency.
“At Cistermiser, we’ve long championed the idea that intelligent water control is not just about compliance or hygiene, but about real, measurable savings,” says Richard Braid, Managing Director at Cistermiser. “The washroom is often a blind spot in wider energy and utility audits, yet it’s one of the quickest wins when it comes to water reduction - particularly in high-traffic or public buildings.”
Cistermiser’s sensor-driven technologies, such as the EasyflushEVO, sensor-activated WC dual flush systems and infrared urinal controls, offer a practical, fast-to-fit solution for organisations looking to get ahead of rising costs. These innovations respond only when required, preventing unnecessary flushing and eliminating water waste at the source.
EasyflushEVO combines the valve and sensor into one simple unit, which can be retrofitted with minimal disruption. Its dynamic operation ensures that flushing only occurs when motion is detected - no water is used when the cubicle is unoccupied. Similarly, the infrared urinal control valves offer flexible flushing intervals that adapt to actual usage, cutting water consumption by up to 80% in some installations.
“Many of the businesses we work with are under pressure to cut costs, improve ESG performance and futureproof their buildings,” adds Richard. “Our role is to make that easier with solutions that pay back quickly and help reduce overheads without compromising on hygiene or user experience.”
With the next wave of utility price hikes around the corner, now is the time for facilities teams to take a fresh look at water usage. Smarter washroom technologies are no longer a nice-to-have; they’re a necessity for any business looking to manage risk, improve sustainability and protect profitability in now and in years to come.
For more information on Cistermiser’s range of solutions, visit www.cistermiser.co.uk
Cistermiser is an Industrial Associate of CIPHE, to see the full list of Industrial Associates check out the directory HERE