NATIONWIDE PROJECT TO HELP SCHOOLS SAVE TWO BILLION LITRES OF WATER REAPS PROMISING EARLY RESULTS

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Nationwide project to help schools save two billion litres of water reaps promising early results

Wave, the multi-award-winning County Durham water retailer, has reported strong early progress from its nationwide initiative to help schools reduce water waste. The project plans to save two million cubic metres of water – the equivalent of two billion litres or enough to fill 13.3 million bathtubs.

Delivered in partnership with SaveMoneyCutCarbon, the Big Blue Eco Booster Project launched in October 2025 and provides fully funded water efficiency support to schools and academies in certain wholesale regions across England, helping them cut consumption, lower utility bills and protect water resources for future generations.

As part of the project, Northumbrian Water has committed funding from its Retailer Collaboration Fund to cover the costs for more than 1,400 schools across the North East, Essex and Suffolk over the next three years.

Since its launch, Wave has seen more wholesaler interest in the project with six more wholesalers signing up, including Anglian Water and Portsmouth Water. This has significantly extended the project’s reach across the North East, North West and much of the East and South East of England.

Wave’s ambition is to continue to bring more wholesalers on board over time, enabling even more schools across the country to access the service free of charge.

About the project

Each Water Savings Visit includes:

  • Assessing how much water taps, toilets, urinals, and showers currently use
  • Identifying leaks and sources of avoidable water waste
  • Installing quick efficiency upgrades and fixes on-site
  • Providing estimated investment, savings, and payback information for longer-term improvements

On completion, schools receive a tailored pack including posters to encourage water saving, teaching resources for pupils and a Big Blue Eco Booster Award, helping to embed water efficiency into the wider school community.

Bob Taylor, Chief Executive Officer for Portsmouth Water, said: “We’re really excited about this project and the difference it will make. Water usage tends to be high in schools, and improving efficiency and identifying leaks in buildings like these can have a significant impact.

“As part of the scheme, we’ve committed to fund water efficiency audits and the installation of water-saving devices in schools across our supply area, with the potential to reduce usage by between 20 and 40 percent.

“These are significant savings and, in the context of increasing pressure on water resources in the South East, every drop counts. We’re looking forward to seeing the positive results this project will bring.”

Visits have already helped participating schools save a combined £81,726 a year*, with an average projected annual saving of £452 per school. From the 169 visits completed so far, audits have saved more than 103,783 litres of water per day by identifying issues such as hidden water waste, inefficient fittings, and excessive flow rates. And the on-site upgrades have delivered immediate savings, reductions in water use and associated carbon emissions.

Simple interventions such as fixing leaks and installing low-flow fittings can help schools reduce running costs, free up stretched budgets for frontline education, and strengthen resilience at a time of increasing financial and environmental pressure.

Oli Shelley, Director of Water Efficiency Services at Wave, said: “The Big Blue Eco Booster Project is a landmark for us and for the industry, representing one of the largest wholesaler–retailer collaborations to date.

“What’s particularly encouraging is how quickly schools are seeing the benefits, from lower bills and reduced leakage to greater awareness among staff and pupils about the importance of saving water. By combining practical support with education, we’re helping schools make changes that deliver lasting financial and environmental impact.”

The project’s impact has been recognised with a finalist nomination for Water Efficiency Project of the Year at the 2026 Water Industry Awards, with the winner set to be announced in Birmingham on Wednesday 24 June.

How to take part

This initiative is open to any school that is a Wave customer. Schools can register their interest via Wave’s dedicated webpage, wave-utilities.co.uk/bigblue. Schools across key regions of England including the North East, South East, East of England and North West regions of England can access the programme free of charge. For schools outside the funded regions, the service is available on a chargeable basis.

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