As schools across the UK prepare for the summer holidays, water management specialist Cistermiser is encouraging education estates and facilities teams to use the six-week break to tackle one often overlooked area of inefficiency – water waste.
With budgets under pressure and ageing school buildings requiring increasing attention, the summer shutdown provides a rare opportunity to improve infrastructure without disrupting pupils, teaching or day-to-day operations.
School washrooms endure heavy daily use, yet outdated plumbing systems, leaking toilets and inefficient flushing mechanisms can quietly waste significant volumes of water, driving up utility bills and increasing carbon emissions. In many schools, behavioural challenges such as toilets not being flushed or taps left running only add to the problem.
“Summer holidays are one of the few opportunities schools have to make meaningful improvements to infrastructure without causing disruption,” says Richard Braid, Managing Director at Cistermiser. “Washrooms are high-use environments, yet water efficiency is often overlooked despite the financial and environmental impact inefficient systems can have. Small upgrades can make a significant difference to running costs, hygiene and sustainability outcomes.”
For schools already balancing maintenance backlogs, tackling water waste may feel like another pressure point. However, relatively simple interventions can deliver meaningful long-term savings.
Cathays High School in Cardiff faced repeated complaints from pupils about toilets not being flushed properly. By installing hands-free flushing technology that activates automatically when users walk away, the school improved hygiene standards while reducing unnecessary water use.
As schools prepare for September, now is the time to identify where water and money may be slipping away unnoticed. Small improvements made this summer could deliver benefits all year round. To find out more email sales@cistermiser.co.uk