Why Urinal Controls Are Essential in Commercial Buildings

The scale of water waste in UK commercial buildings is staggering, writes Cistermiser managing director, Richard Braid.

According to Thames Water’s latest smart meter data, over 23 per cent of the total water delivered to non-household sites is classified as ‘continuous flow’ an indication of potential leaks, uncontrolled use, and sheer inefficiency.

With government targets mandating a 20% reduction in water consumption by 2038 under the Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2022, businesses and building specifiers are under increasing pressure to improve water efficiency. One of the simplest and most effective ways to make an impact is through correct urinal control.

Thames Water’s analysis reveals that more than 1 in 8 business properties never stop flowing, meaning water is being used (or wasted) continuously, 24 hours a day. In 2023/24, their Smarter Business Visits identified uncontrolled urinals as one of the most significant sources of water wastage, alongside leaking toilets.

Data collected from 1,761 business visits showed that, on average:

• Each site saved 965 litres per day from fixing uncontrolled urinals
• Each site saved 3,735 litres per day from fixing leaking toilets

When extrapolated across thousands of businesses, the potential savings are vast. In just one case study from Thames Water’s investigation in 2022, fixing two uncontrolled urinals in a single business property resulted in saving thousands of litres per day.

Water wastage doesn’t just harm the environment – it costs businesses significant amounts of money. Uncontrolled urinals can flush as often as once every 3-5 minutes, 24/7 – amounting to hundreds of litres per urinal, per day. By implementing effective urinal control, businesses could save tens of thousands of litres per year per washroom.

With smart meters now installed in over 55,000 business properties, and every meterable business property expected to be covered by 2030, the evidence is clear: urinal control must be a priority for commercial buildings seeking to cut costs and reduce waste.

Water wastage in commercial washrooms is an issue that’s too big to ignore. Uncontrolled urinal flushing is a prime example of unnecessary waste that businesses can tackle today with simple, proven solutions. The data from Thames Water highlights the sheer scale of water being lost. By implementing effective urinal controls, businesses can not only cut their environmental impact but also make significant financial savings.

Water wastage doesn’t just harm the environment – it costs businesses significant amounts of money. Uncontrolled urinals can flush as often as once every 3-5 minutes, 24/7 – amounting to hundreds of litres per urinal, per day. By implementing effective urinal control, businesses could save tens of thousands of litres per year per washroom. The financial savings are substantial, with commercial water rates increasing, a site with multiple urinals could be wasting thousands of pounds annually.

Businesses looking to take action will find solutions to prevent unnecessary urinal flushing and maximise water efficiency on the market.

By way of example, Cistermiser offers a smart infrared sensor that only flushes when the urinal is used – eliminating unnecessary water consumption and ensuring hygiene, and infrared urinal control (IRC) which installs a sensor on walls or ceilings to detect room occupancy, allowing urinals to flush only after use and reducing waste compared to traditional automatic cisterns.

These solutions provide quick, cost-effective fixes that can dramatically cut water usage, improve environmental performance and help businesses comply with upcoming water efficiency regulations. As Thames Water’s research highlights, uncontrolled urinals remain a major source of water wastage for UK businesses.