Water efficiency
What are our plans to improve water efficiency at Imperial?
As part of the Sustainability Strategy 2026-2031 we will prioritise efficient water management through targeted infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements.
We will install Automatic Meter Reader (AMR) pulse sub-meters across the top 50 high-priority buildings and areas to improve data accuracy and enable proactive water-use management. This will be supported by actions such as retrofitting tap fittings, replacing low-low showerheads, and installing flow restrictors or aerators on bathroom and kitchen taps. Sub-metering will be extended to plant rooms and third-party buildings, and rainwater harvesting will be integrated into all new builds and retrofit projects, where feasible.
We will continue validating past sub-metering installations, local condenser cooling and water-saving lab practices, and transition from centralised to localised autoclaves to reduce process water demand and improve efficiency.
Alongside central interventions, we will build a culture of good water practice across Imperial, which will be embedded in the engagement pillar of the strategy, including student engagement through our Sustainable Halls campaign. We will pilot projects that showcase innovative ways of saving water.
Water saving tips
- Report dripping taps – help reduce water wastage by informing the maintenance team of taps in need of repair.
- Avoid letting the tap run unnecessarily - turn the tap off when brushing your teeth or whilst applying soap. Turning the tap off when you don’t need it saves the typical household 9,000 litres of water a year.
- Use full loads for your washing machine and dishwasher - wait until you’ve got enough to fill your appliances before switching them on.
Hydration
Be part of the solution, not the pollution
Did you know plastic bottles make up around 30% of all plastic pollution in UK waters and coastlines[1]? And that the UK consumes around 7.7 billion plastic bottles every year[2]? A reusable bottle could replace nearly all of these - which is why we’re installing and upgrading hydration stations across campus. We’re starting with South Kensington and have plans to continue across all Imperial’s campuses.
Our hope is that by making access to water refills easier than ever, we as a community, can reduce our plastic use. By doing your part for the environment, you are also helping yourself; saving money and staying on top of your hydration goals!
Use the South Kensington hydration station map to find your nearest station and enjoy refreshing, filtered water.