More than half of UK organisations (53%) see water as a significant business risk, with rising costs (50%) and leakage (47%) the top concerns for senior decision makers.
Two thirds (64%) have faced water-related operational disruption in the last 12 months, while just over half (54%) have also experienced a compliance breach.
The majority (86%) expect future water regulation to impact their organisation over the next 3 – 5 years, however a third (29%) say they are not prepared for water scarcity, ageing infrastructure or climate-related pressures.
New research from Mitie, the UK’s leading facilities management, transformation and compliance company, reveals senior leaders at more than half of organisations (53%) consider water a significant risk to their business. Rising water costs (50%), leakage (47%) and operational disruption (31%) emerged as the greatest concerns. With over two in five organisations (42%) worried about water-related risks in the near term, concern rises sharply to three in five (60%) over the longer term.
The survey of 500 UK senior decision makers reveals that while four in five (80%) leaders say they are confident in managing water systems, around four in ten (39%) lack access to accurate, real-time water data. Additionally, fewer than three in five (57%) factor water into strategic decision-making, and just one in six (15%) discuss it at a senior level.
Water disruption is draining organisations
Water-related challenges are already disrupting two thirds (64%) of UK organisations, losing an estimated £67,000 each year through ineffective water use.
Supply interruptions, leaks and system failures are causing increased operating costs (29%), reduced productivity and downtime (22%), and supply chain disruption (21%).
Rising water pressure leaves organisations unprepared
Most organisations expect water-related risks to intensify, just under a third (29%) say they are unprepared to manage water scarcity, ageing infrastructure and climate-related pressures.
More than half (54%) of organisations have also experienced a water-related compliance breach, underlining how quickly operational issues can escalate into regulatory risk. With new regulatory requirements under AMP8, the UK’s regulatory framework for water investment and performance, alongside evolving DEFRA policy, organisations will be under greater expectations to monitor usage, report transparently and actively reduce consumption.
The findings highlight the need to turn the tide on how organisations approach water use, moving beyond a reactive mindset and embedding water within risk management and strategic decision-making. Taking greater control over how water is monitored, managed and prioritised will be key to improving resilience, reducing costs and avoiding disruption.
Mitie launches Total Water to help businesses manage risk end-to-end
In response to these challenges, Mitie has launched Total Water as part of its Total Compliance offering, providing an end‑to‑end solution to help organisations better manage water-related risk. Bringing together water supply, usage, treatment and compliance into a single, joined‑up approach, Total Water gives organisations greater visibility and control across their estates.
By combining real-time data, expertise and compliance support, it enables organisations to identify and address inefficiencies quickly, reduce costs and strengthen compliance, while building long-term resilience as regulatory, environmental and cost pressures continue to grow.
Geoff Smith, Director of Managed Water ServicesMany organisations still view water as a facilities issue rather than a business-critical risk. Our research shows that’s no longer the reality. Water-related disruption is already affecting organisations so those that take control now will be better positioned to manage rising costs, increasing regulatory scrutiny and growing pressure on operations and infrastructure. Those that don’t factor water risk into their strategic thinking are likely to be caught out by these increasing challenges.