Water Checklist

CHECKLIST

5.1 - Identify if a portfolio wide environmental policy exists and how it relates to the property. 

Assess whether the Property Owner has a portfolio wide policy or strategy that sets out their water management principles, targets and statement of intent. It is possible that this may be part of a broader environmental policy. 

5.2 - Support maintenance of Asset Register by collating property information and certificates. 

Collate all design ratings, core building plant & equipment specifications (BREEAM, Operational Manuals, Schematics etc) and ensure details are incorporated into the Asset Register. 

5.3 - Undertake a regular programme of leak inspections at the property. 

The inspection programme should be agreed as part of the water management policy.  

5.4 - Identify current metering and billing arrangements, and consider improvement options . 

Determine if there are separate meters for individual floors, units, common parts and on the individual critical services and consider installing further advanced meters. This could be provided by a Metering Plan. If one does not exist, consider the benefits of commissioning one. Assess opportunities to automate meter readings into property or portfolio level monitoring systems via AMR (see Error! Reference source not found.).  

5.5 - Benchmark the operational water performance of the property. 

Use available data to establish the building’s current and historic water use. Establish water usage of sub-metering and individual plat equipment and systems? Benchmark performance with relevant industry standards and benchmarks e.g. Real Estate Environmental Benchmark. 

5.6 - Carry out a water audit of the building. 

This is key to understanding the current water use in the building and possible routes to its reduction.  

5.7 - Set water performance targets. 

The targets should take into account the water policy, any operational requirements from ratings and certification, findings of the water audit and benchmarking process.  

5.8 - Create an action plan to ensure future improvement. 

5.9 - Agree an approach for financing initiatives. 

5.10 - Implement a monitoring and maintenance strategy. 

A monitoring and maintenance strategy will track performance against the action plan, identify ongoing maintenance requirements for installed measures at the property. It will also set out the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders within the property and any on-going reporting requirements. The property’s Asset Register should be updated as and when new equipment is installed.