The Summer Holidays: A Perfect Window for Schools to Upgrade Washrooms, Save Water and Cut Costs
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As schools across the UK prepare to close their doors for the six-week summer break, now is the ideal time to undertake essential maintenance and facility upgrades without disrupting the academic calendar. Cistermiser, the UK’s leading provider of commercial washroom water management solutions, is urging schools to use this period to modernise their washroom facilities, highlighting that upgrading to water-efficient technologies can significantly reduce water consumption, lower carbon emissions, and ease the strain on stretched school budgets.
“School washrooms endure heavy, continuous use throughout the term. In many educational settings, outdated plumbing and inefficient fixtures lead to substantial water wastage,” says Richard Braid, Managing Director of Cistermiser. “A common issue raised by student councils and site managers alike is the failure of pupils to flush toilets or turn off taps, which not only creates hygiene concerns but also drives up utility bills. Not only that, but leaky loos are costing schools thousands of pounds. All of these issues can be solved by a little planning, right now.”
“Upgrading washroom facilities is not merely about improving aesthetics; it is a strategic financial decision. By reducing water usage, schools can directly lower their utility costs, freeing up essential funds that can be redirected toward educational resources and student support. Furthermore, lowering water consumption inherently reduces a school’s carbon footprint, supporting broader environmental and sustainability targets.”
A compelling example of how to tackle these challenges head-on can be found at Cathays High School in Cardiff. A mixed-sex, multi-faith school with approximately one thousand pupils, Cathays High School faced a perennial problem: representatives from the student-elected School Committee regularly complained that boys frequently failed to flush the toilets after use.
Determined to find a solution, the Site Manager, Sue Petryna, contacted Cistermiser. The team visited the school to review the issue firsthand. They recognised that a standard infrared “wave” sensor might be ignored just as easily as a manual flush handle. Working closely with their R&D Department, Cistermiser proposed the Easyflush system featuring innovative “walkaway” operation.
This “hands-free” flushing system automatically triggers a flush whenever a user gets up or walks away from the toilet. The intelligent infrared sensors operate on a dual-flush mechanism, delivering a part flush if the user leaves within 45 seconds, or a full flush if that period is exceeded. This method ensures hygiene while restricting water use to an absolute minimum.
To assist schools in understanding their potential savings, Cistermiser is offering a Free Water Survey.
“Don’t let the empty corridors of the summer holidays go to waste,” says Richard. “Book your free water survey and help your school create a cleaner, greener and more cost-effective environment for the new academic year.”
To find out more email sales@cistermiser.co.uk
For more information on water-saving solutions and how Cistermiser can help, visit www.cistermiser.co.uk
