Running a water audit on a school site

Prepare the records and boundaries

Gather meter readings, bills, site plans and equipment schedules. Identify buildings or accommodation sharing the supply. Agree who will lead the audit, what staff can inspect safely and how findings will be recorded. Do not enter confined spaces or disturb building materials to complete a checklist.

Inspect accessible areas

• Look for dripping taps, running toilets, visible overflows and unexpected out-of-hours use.
• Record pool top-ups, irrigation and water-treatment schedules alongside accommodation and lettings.
• Note visible plant-room discharge or repeated heating make-up for review by the responsible contractor; do not alter safety controls.

Photograph accessible faults where useful and assign each finding an owner. Separate urgent risks from routine maintenance and possible efficiency improvements.

Arrange further investigation where needed

If unexplained use remains, a competent person can plan controlled isolation or specialist testing. Establish what each valve serves, protect essential and fire-protection supplies, and agree reinstatement and water-safety checks. An unsuccessful visual inspection does not prove the fault is underground.

Keep a dated action list and compare readings after work under similar conditions. Repeat checks when use changes or unexplained consumption returns; the scope and time required depend on the estate.