If you’re a facilities manager looking to reduce costs, water might not be the first place you look. But here’s the truth: many organisations are losing money every single day through unnoticed leaks, wasteful habits and inaccurate assumptions — and the only way to uncover that is by reading the water meter.

Before investing in new technologies or launching a full audit, there’s one simple step that gives you control over your water use: start tracking your meter readings.

Your water meter: the hidden source of insight

The water meter is often overlooked, tucked away in a plant room or boundary chamber. But it holds the most accurate, up-to-date record of how much water your site is using — and it can expose hidden issues that don’t show up on your bills.

Regular meter readings give you:

• Early warning of hidden leaks — many organisations only discover leaks through meter checks. Left unchecked, even a small leak (like a stuck cistern or underground pipework fault) can waste thousands of litres and rack up significant costs.
• A clear benchmark — by tracking typical daily or weekly use, you can quickly spot unusual spikes that indicate problems.
• Visibility into off-hours consumption — if your site is closed overnight or on weekends, water use should drop to zero or near zero. If it doesn’t, that’s often a sign of a leak, automatic flushing or plant that’s running unnecessarily.

How to get started

1. Locate the meter
For many commercial sites, the meter is found near the property boundary or in a dedicated plant area. If your site has multiple meters, create a simple map and label each one.

2. Learn to read it
Meters typically display usage in cubic metres (m³). Some are digital, others mechanical with rotating dials. If you’re unsure, take a photo and refer to your water provider or a service engineer.

3. Start logging data
Set up a spreadsheet or simple log to record readings — ideally weekly or daily if resources allow. Note the date, time, and any relevant activity (e.g. cleaning, irrigation, or shutdowns). Even just a few weeks of readings can reveal patterns.

What to look for

Once you’re tracking readings regularly, look for:

• Sudden spikes: Unexplained increases are often due to faults, system failures or even staff habits.
• Out-of-hours use: If you’re seeing steady water use during nights or weekends when you know your facilities are not being used, it’s a red flag.
• Baseline use: Establishing your typical consumption is essential before making any changes — you can’t manage what you don’t measure.

Real cost, real savings

It’s easy to underestimate the financial impact of wasted water. But consider this: a single leaking toilet can waste more than 400 litres per day — over 140,000 litres per year. If you’re on a metered supply, that’s money literally going down the drain.

Facilities that start reading their meters regularly often uncover hidden leaks, optimise flushing systems, identify overuse in cooling towers or irrigation, and begin reducing costs almost immediately — often with no capital investment required.

As a facilities manager, you’re juggling energy, compliance, and occupant comfort — but water deserves a spot on your radar. Regular meter readings are quick, free and can deliver real cost savings. So before you invest in new solutions, do the simplest and smartest thing first: read the meter.