Analyse the water situation in your company

Detection of water usage, losses and overconsumption to identify optimization levers

In order to gain a clear overview of the company’s water situation, it is important to monitor its water consumption. A water audit is a key step in initiating an optimization process and adopting a circular and sustainable approach to water management.

To address the main questions before starting the project and to guide you through the various steps, it is recommended to consult a design office specialising in water. In any case, your sector representative (your chamber or federation) can also provide guidance and support.

Monitoring the water situation

A water audit is an essential starting point in transitioning from a linear management (extraction, use, discharge) to a circular, sustainable, and efficient approach. This method makes it possible to:

• Reduce consumption at the source and achieve savings
• Establish internal water reuse systems,
• Value secondary water (rainwater, greywater, process water),
• Improve the quality of discharges and reduce their impact

Circular and sustainable diagnostic approach to water consumption

This approach is based on several key steps:

• Identification of water uses:
  • List all water-consuming equipment and systems inside and around buildings 
  • Differentiate between priority uses (related to the activity) and secondary uses.
  • Observe user practices and analyze their behaviors
• Collect consumption data:
  • Gather existing data (water bills, general and partial meter readings).
  • Use a monitoring tool to organize consumption data by use, providing clear and comprehensive overview.
• Data analysis and comparison:
  • Assess consumption against actual needs based on relevant reference values (technical data on equipment, m³/employee, customers, units produced ratios, etc.).

For further steps :

The Water Management Agency (AGE), in collaboration with the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), offers a practical tool to support the water audit process.

For more details,  consult:

• The guide for conducting a water audit in companies ;
• The water use diagnostic, which can be completed by the company or a consulting firm

Subsidy application

Government subsidies

After the assessment

• In-depth analysis of  results to prioritize actions based on company-specific criteria:
  •  Expected water and cost savings
  •  Technical feasibility and operational constraints
  •  Short- and long-term environmental benefits
• Identification of levers for action
  • Identify areas with potential for savings or optimization
  • Identify uses that could incorporate recycled water or recovery
  • Propose training and awareness-raising initiatives for responsible water use

• Implementation of appropriate measures
  • Raise staff awareness of eco-responsible water use
  • Improve responsible water management in buildings
  • Optimize water management in the outdoor areas of company buildings
  • Install a rainwater harvesting system for suitable applications