Water-saving technologies are now firmly on the agenda for facilities managers. Rising utility costs, increasing pressure to meet sustainability targets and greater scrutiny around environmental performance mean that reducing water consumption is no longer optional.

However, not all water-saving products perform equally once installed. Products that appear compelling on paper can underdeliver in practice if maintenance requirements, compliance obligations or whole-life costs have not been fully considered. Asking the right questions at specification stage is essential.

This checklist highlights the key questions facilities managers should ask to ensure water savings are genuine, sustainable and operationally realistic.

1. What problem is this product actually solving?

Start by being clear about the objective. Is the priority water reduction, hygiene, compliance, maintenance efficiency or a combination of these?

Some products reduce water use but introduce complexity elsewhere. For example, extremely low flow rates can frustrate users and increase run times, while systems that rely heavily on user behaviour may underperform in high-traffic environments.

In practice, facilities managers often look for solutions that deliver savings without requiring behavioural change. For example, waterless urinals remove flushing altogether, while sensor-controlled taps limit run time automatically.

Key takeaway: Define the operational problem first, then assess whether the product solves it reliably in your type of building.

2. Is performance proven in similar buildings?

Manufacturer data and laboratory tests are useful, but they are not a substitute for real-world performance. Facilities managers should look for evidence of use in buildings with similar footfall, usage patterns and operational pressures.

For example, technologies that perform well in offices may behave very differently in public toilets, healthcare environments or transport hubs. Case studies and long-term reference sites provide reassurance that products perform under sustained use.

Key takeaway: Prioritise proven performance in comparable environments.

3. What are the ongoing maintenance requirements?

Maintenance is where many water-saving products succeed or fail. Products that require specialist servicing, complex access or frequent intervention can quickly erode savings.

Facilities managers should ask:

• How often does the product need routine maintenance?
• Can work be carried out by in-house teams?
• Are specialist cleaners, parts or tools required?
• What happens if maintenance is delayed?

Some products are designed specifically to simplify maintenance. For example, URIMAT waterless urinals are widely regarded as easier to maintain and less prone to blockages and odour issues than traditional flushed urinals or older waterless designs, provided correct cleaning products are used.

Similarly, taps such as the CONTI+ range are designed with above-deck access to key components, reducing time spent working beneath basins.

Key takeaway: Simpler maintenance usually delivers better long-term performance.

4. Are consumables required and how are they supplied?

Many water-saving products rely on consumables to function correctly. This is not necessarily a drawback, but it must be clearly understood.

Facilities managers should clarify:

• What consumables are required and how often
• Whether alternatives are permitted
• The impact on warranties and performance if incorrect products are used

It is also worth understanding whether consumables are tied to ongoing service contracts. For example, URIMAT waterless urinals do not require an ongoing service contract, giving organisations flexibility while still maintaining performance when the correct products are used.

Key takeaway: Factor consumables and contractual obligations into whole-life costs.

5. What does the warranty actually cover?

Warranty terms vary widely and can be more restrictive than they first appear. Facilities managers should understand:

• What actions invalidate the warranty
• Whether correct maintenance is a condition
• Whether specific consumables must be used
• Whether performance is covered, not just parts

A warranty that aligns with real-world operation is far more valuable than one that is difficult to comply with.

Key takeaway: Ensure warranty conditions are practical for your estate.

6. What is the whole-life cost?

Capital cost is only one part of the picture. Whole-life cost should include:

• Installation
• Water and energy savings
• Maintenance labour
• Consumables
• Replacement parts
• Disruption and downtime

In many cases, products with a higher upfront cost deliver better value because they reduce maintenance time or avoid downstream issues. Facilities managers should compare total cost of ownership rather than headline price alone.

Key takeaway: Lowest purchase price rarely means lowest overall cost.

7. How robust is the product in high-use environments?

Durability is critical in public-facing and high-traffic washrooms. Materials, build quality and resistance to misuse all matter.

Products designed specifically for commercial and public buildings tend to perform more consistently than those adapted from domestic settings. Robust design reduces failure rates and the need for reactive maintenance.

Key takeaway: Specify for heavy use, not ideal conditions.

8. Does the product support compliance and reporting?

Water efficiency increasingly feeds into wider compliance and sustainability reporting. Facilities managers should consider whether products support monitoring, auditing and compliance requirements.

For example, products such as Aguardio hygiene sensors, particularly when used in conjuction with the CONTI Lino AS, or the CONTI+ CNX system are designed to facilitate compliance and reporting by providing visibility over usage, flushing or activation events. This can be particularly valuable in healthcare, education and public sector environments.

Key takeaway: Products that support reporting make compliance easier to demonstrate.

9. Can the product be retrofitted easily?

Many estates focus on retrofit rather than new build projects. Facilities managers should assess:

• Compatibility with existing infrastructure
• Installation disruption
• Space requirements
• Whether upgrades can be phased

Many modern water-saving technologies, including taps, monitoring sensors and waterless urinals, are designed specifically for retrofit, allowing organisations to achieve savings without major refurbishment.

Key takeaway: Retrofit-friendly products often deliver faster returns.

10. Is the advice specification-led rather than sales-led?

Finally, consider the quality of advice being offered. Independent suppliers with experience across multiple technologies are often better placed to recommend appropriate solutions than those focused on a single product type.

Working with specialists such as Ecoprod can help facilities managers evaluate options based on operational reality, drawing on experience across a wide range of water saving technologies rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Key takeaway: Good specification is about suitability and longevity, not novelty.

Making better specification decisions

Water-saving products can deliver substantial benefits when specified correctly. By asking the right questions around maintenance, warranties, retrofit suitability, compliance and whole-life costs, facilities managers can avoid common pitfalls and ensure savings are real and sustainable.

If you would like to explore water-saving options for your buildings or need support at specification stage, Ecoprod can provide practical, experience-led guidance tailored to your environment.