What is a water balance?

A water balance is a management tool that can be used to show where water enters and leaves your business, and how it's used in between. It provides a way of gathering and presenting information about water use that can help you to:

• understand and manage your water and wastewater more efficiently
• work out where you can cut water and water treatment costs
• detect leaks

Developing a water balance is a straightforward step-by-step process that involves:

• gaining the full commitment of senior management - see making the case for environmental improvements
• conducting a preliminary review - see initial analysis of your water use and disposal
• drawing a diagram of your site, showing the main water inflows and outflows - see make a diagram of your business' water use
• adding the detail and making a water-use spreadsheet - see how to finalise the detail of your water balance and quantify and record your water use
• using the water balance to save money on water use and disposal - see the page in this guide on how to use your water monitoring information to save money

You should make sure you review and update the water balance regularly.