Water Efficiency Certifications and Standards for Businesses

Water efficiency is crucial to businesses, and in more ways than one. The inefficient use of it can be environmentally ruinous and even unsafe, but this isn’t only a matter of corporate responsibility. It can also impact your business's bottom line. 

Considering how important water is to all of us, it’s no surprise that there are a number of certifications and standards that your business should be adhering to to improve your water management. 

What are Water Efficiency Certifications and Standards?

Water efficiency certifications are formal recognitions awarded to businesses that demonstrate responsible and sustainable water use. They validate efforts to reduce consumption, prevent waste, and implement best practices in water management.

Water efficiency standards are slightly different; these are the technical benchmarks or guidelines that define optimal water usage levels, system performance, and conservation practices. They help businesses align operations with environmental goals and regulatory expectations.

Together, certifications and standards provide measurable frameworks for assessing water use. They encourage continuous improvement, support compliance, and enhance reputation. By achieving certification, your business can demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, which can grow both financial savings and stakeholder trust. 

Why Should Businesses Pursue Water Efficiency Certifications?

There are numerous benefits to getting water efficiency certifications. They can lead to cost reductions, as well as help you comply with local regulations and improve the sustainability of your business.

It’s more important that some businesses have these standards than others. In particular, businesses in the hospitality sector need to pay close attention to the quality of their water supply. For firms in manufacturing, which may use extremely high volumes of water, ensuring that they're not wasting water could carry significant financial benefits.

Types of Water Efficiency Certifications Available to Businesses

Numerous certifications and standards govern businesses' water efficiency practices. Here’s a breakdown of the most common ones and what they apply to.

ISO 14001: Environmental Management System

ISO 14001 is a globally recognised standard for environmental management. It helps organisations identify and control their environmental impact, including water usage. Through systematic planning and monitoring, businesses can reduce water consumption, manage wastewater, and comply with regulations. Water efficiency is embedded in the broader goal of minimising environmental footprints.

ISO 50001: Energy Management

While ISO 50001 focuses on energy performance, it also indirectly supports water efficiency. Many industrial processes use water for heating, cooling, or steam generation. By optimising energy systems, businesses often reduce water demand and improve overall efficiency. 

LEED Certification: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

LEED is a green building certification that evaluates sustainability across design, construction, and operations. Water efficiency is a core component of this, with credits awarded for such initiatives as reducing indoor and outdoor water use, installing low-flow fixtures, and implementing rainwater harvesting. LEED-certified buildings demonstrate measurable reductions in water consumption and environmental impact.

WELL Building Standard

The WELL Standard promotes health and well-being in built environments. Its water category assesses quality, accessibility, and conservation. It encourages filtration systems, regular testing, and responsible water sourcing. WELL also considers hydration access and plumbing design, linking water efficiency to occupant health and environmental stewardship.

BREEAM: Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

BREEAM is a sustainability assessment method for buildings. It evaluates water use through criteria such as consumption monitoring, leak detection, and the use of efficient fittings. Projects can earn credits for minimising potable water use and implementing water-saving technologies. BREEAM promotes lifecycle water management and supports regulatory compliance.

Water Stewardship Standards: AWS Certification

The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard is a comprehensive framework for responsible water use. It guides businesses in understanding their water risks, engaging stakeholders, and improving catchment-level outcomes. AWS certification validates efforts in water governance, quality, and quantity, making it ideal for high-usage sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing.

How to Achieve Water Efficiency Certification

Here’s a step-by-step guide for businesses aiming to secure water efficiency certification:

1. Assess current water use

Conduct a water audit to identify consumption patterns, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.

2. Set objectives & targets

Define measurable goals for water reduction, reuse, and quality improvement aligned with certification requirements.

3. Choose the right certification

Select a suitable framework (such as ISO 14001 or the AWS Standard) based on industry, scale, and sustainability goals.

4. Implement improvements

Upgrade fixtures, adopt water-saving technologies, and establish monitoring systems to meet certification criteria.

5. Engage stakeholders

Having the buy-in from those around you will make your pathway to certification much easier, so train staff, involve suppliers, and communicate water policies to ensure broad compliance and support.

6. Document & verify the results of your changes

You’re going to need proof of all the actions you’ve taken in order to get your certification, so make sure that you maintain records of water use, improvements, and procedures. Prepare for third-party audits or assessments.

7. Apply for Certification

Done everything that you need to do? Excellent! Now you can submit your documentation to the relevant certifying body and undergo formal evaluation.

There are different supporting bodies & resources available according to which certification you have identified that you wish to target. The British Standards Institution (BSI) offers ISO certification services. At the same time, the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) provides guidance and certification for water stewardship, the BRE Group oversees BREEAM assessments, and the Green Building Council supports both LEED and WELL certifications.

You should be aware that this is a medium-term project, which won’t be completed in a couple of weeks. Typically, it takes between 3 and 12 months to obtain your certification, depending on your readiness, the type of certification, and the complexity of the audit. Costs, meanwhile, can vary widely. Small businesses may spend £3,000 to £10,000, but larger organisations may exceed £20,000, including audits, consultancy, and necessary upgrades.

Benefits of Achieving Water Efficiency Standards for Businesses

Of course, receiving this certification isn’t all about upholding standards for others. Your business can significantly benefit from going through these processes. 

Cost savings through reduced water consumption

Implementing water efficiency standards helps businesses identify and eliminate wasteful practices. By upgrading fixtures, detecting leaks, and optimising processes, companies can significantly lower water bills, especially in high-usage sectors such as hospitality or manufacturing.

Improved environmental reputation

Achieving certification demonstrates a commitment to sustainability. It can enhance a brand's image and demonstrate environmental responsibility to stakeholders, investors, and the public. This can help to mark your business out in competitive markets, and help your business to grow.

Assistance with regulatory compliance

Water efficiency standards align with national and local regulations. Certification ensures that your business stays ahead of legal requirements, reducing the risk of fines or enforcement actions, as well as simplifying reporting and audit processes.

Opportunities for government incentives or tax breaks

Certified businesses may qualify for financial incentives, grants or tax relief schemes aimed at promoting sustainable practices. These benefits can offset implementation costs and support further environmental initiatives.

Increased customer loyalty and appeal to environmentally-conscious clients

Many modern consumers and business-to-business clients increasingly favour companies with strong environmental credentials. Water efficiency certification can help to build trust and loyalty, attracting eco-conscious customers and partners who value responsible resource management.

Challenges in achieving water efficiency certification

While there are significant benefits to gaining water efficiency certification, the processes can also come with challenges. So what are they, and what can you do about them?

High upfront costs for implementing water-efficient systems

Transitioning to water-efficient infrastructure often requires significant financial investment. Upgrades such as low-flow fixtures, automated monitoring systems and leak detection technologies can strain budgets, especially for smaller businesses. Long-term savings are likely, but high initial financial commitments can delay initial adoption.

Challenges in meeting all criteria for certification

Water efficiency certifications typically involve comprehensive audits, documentation, and performance benchmarks. Businesses may struggle to meet every requirement, particularly if older systems or operational constraints limit their ability to implement the required changes in the first place. Navigating technical standards and compliance rules can be both time-consuming and complex.

Keeping up with changing regulatory standards

Water efficiency guidelines are continually updated to reflect new technologies, evolving environmental priorities, and shifting regulatory requirements. Staying compliant means businesses need to regularly reassess practices, retrain staff and potentially even reinvest in newer systems. This ongoing effort demands both strategic foresight and operational flexibility.

But despite these challenges, many businesses find that the long-term benefits, such as cost savings, brand credibility and environmental impact, make it all worthwhile.

Water efficiency isn’t only crucial for businesses in terms of environmental responsibility. It can also offer you long-term financial advantages and a competitive edge in a marketplace which still doesn’t always prioritise it. By getting the right certifications, you’ll be demonstrating how seriously you take your corporate responsibilities. You’ll also be modernising and future-proofing your business, as well as making an investment which will carry long-term benefits. Get started on the certification process now and make water efficiency a priority for your business.