Cistermiser urges urgent action on water efficiency as extreme drought threat looms

Water saving expert Cistermiser, is urging the construction and facilities sector to accelerate action on water efficiency, leakage prevention and smarter water management, following reports that England could face an extreme drought in 2026.1

The warning has prompted comparisons with the 1975-76 “standpipe drought,” widely regarded as the UK’s most severe modern drought, when water supplies became so stretched that standpipes were introduced in some areas.

Cistermiser first entered the washroom market back in the late 70s, soon after the summer drought, with an innovative water-efficient product - the hydraulic urinal flush control valve. The environmentally focused technology was ahead of its time, arriving long before regulations pushed organisations to actively reduce washroom water consumption.

With pressure on water resources already rising in parts of the country, concerns are growing that prolonged dry conditions could increase the likelihood of restrictions and emergency measures in some regions.

While long-term infrastructure investment is essential, Cistermiser says there are also practical, immediate steps that can be taken across commercial buildings, public estates and housing to reduce unnecessary water demand without disruption to end users.

Cistermiser’s approach focuses on preventing avoidable water loss through a combination of leakage prevention and smarter monitoring. This includes flow-monitoring and automatic shut-off valves designed to identify abnormal or continuous water use and stop water loss before it escalates, alongside water management controls that help estates spot unusual consumption patterns - often one of the earliest indicators of hidden leaks.

Cistermiser’s water management solutions also support more efficient use in key washroom applications such as urinals and WCs. In many buildings, hidden leaks and continuous flow can quietly drive up consumption and cost over long periods, particularly across large, multi-site estates.

Richard Braid, Managing Director at Cistermiser, says: “The prospect of an extreme drought is a clear reminder that water efficiency can’t be treated as a ‘nice to have’. Every litre that’s wasted through leakage, uncontrolled flow or outdated washroom infrastructure adds pressure to an already stretched system.

“We need a stronger focus on prevention to stop avoidable water loss before it becomes someone else’s problem. For building owners and facilities teams, this is one of the simplest ways to make an immediate difference. Water-saving upgrades and leakage protection can reduce demand quickly, cut costs, and support wider sustainability commitments, all without compromising hygiene or user experience.

“With the right approach, we can protect supplies, increase resilience and help ensure essential services are prioritised when conditions tighten.”

Cistermiser is calling on organisations responsible for large building portfolios including education, healthcare, stadiums, local authorities, commercial estates and social housing, to consider water efficiency and leakage prevention as a core part of operational planning, particularly in high-use washroom environments.

As the pressure on water resources intensifies, Cistermiser believes water-saving and leak prevention measures should be seen as frontline resilience tools, helping the built environment play its part in supporting national water security.