As always the best starting point is to assign responsibility. Usually the best person to do this is the energy manager. This is the position at UMIST which has also created a network of 30 voluntary wardens around the campus who provide information on any internal changes which might impact consumption, and are the first point of contact for any queries.

The next – and continuing – step is to map the current consumption of a campus – something which will almost certainly reveal some major anomalies (and insufficient metering to really get a handle on the situation). This has three aims:

• To ensure that the organisation isn't paying for someone else's water
  
• To identify and plug major leaks
  
• To check the accuracy of supply invoices and reclaim where possible.

Once consumption has been mapped on-going measures can be taken such as:

Modifying water-using equipment, for example, by fi tting water-saving devices such as dams in cisterns; urinal controls, percussion taps, inline restrictors and showerhead restrictors on existing toilets and showers (some of these measures, such as showerhead restrictors, can cut consumption by two thirds)

Ensuring that water efficiency is taken into account in any new investment in buildings and equipment

Developing internal awareness about the importance of water efficiency.