Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 9th July 2026 Issue no. 1218
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FM teams urged to rethink drainage maintenance strategies as pressure on water use intensifies
Drainage specialist, LDF Group, is encouraging facilities management teams to take a more proactive approach to drain maintenance, as hotter Summers and periods of intense rainfall place increasing pressure on how water is managed across commercial sites.
Poorly maintained drainage systems can contribute to inefficiencies that often go unnoticed beneath the surface, with avoidable issues in many buildings continuing to operate unchecked as water conservation becomes an increasing focus across the UK.
Across England and Wales, Water Services Regulation Authority OFWAT estimates that three billion litres of treated water are lost each day – the equivalent of close to 20% of total supply, or roughly 1,200 Olympic-sized swimming pools. As warmer, drier conditions become more frequent and strain water availability, attention is intensifying on how water is used and managed at every level.
Projections suggest England could face a shortfall of nearly five billion litres of water per day by 2050, placing further pressure on businesses to reduce usage and manage water more carefully across their operations.
"Water use is under greater scrutiny, particularly during periods of extreme weather," notes Lee Carlin, Group CEO at LDF Group. "Drainage systems are often overlooked, yet they play an important role in how effectively water is managed within a building."
Changing weather patterns are adding further pressure. The UK is seeing longer, hotter spells that drive higher water use across commercial environments, alongside more frequent periods of heavy rainfall. This shift is placing greater demands on drainage systems, particularly where maintenance is limited.
Warmer conditions can accelerate the build-up of fats, grease and debris within pipework, gradually restricting flow and reducing overall system performance. At the same time, when heavy rainfall follows dry periods, systems that are already under strain can struggle to cope.
"When drains are not regularly maintained, that pressure builds over time," adds Lee. "Systems continue to operate, but not as efficiently as they should - and that contributes to unnecessary water loss."
Underperforming drainage systems can have a direct impact on water consumption, wastewater costs and environmental footprint. Unseen inefficiencies can quietly inflate bills over time, creating a steady financial drain for businesses while increasing the amount of water that is unnecessarily treated and processed.
As organisations face increasing expectations around sustainability, reporting and resource use, these hidden inefficiencies present a growing concern.
"Water waste is not always visible, but it remains a cost," notes Lee. "Without routine maintenance, businesses are effectively paying for inefficiency."
Despite this, drainage maintenance is still largely reactive. LDF estimates that only around 15% of its work relates to planned preventative programmes, with the majority triggered once issues have already developed. This creates a gap where systems continue to operate below optimal performance, sometimes for extended periods.
"Drainage systems rarely fail without warning. In most cases, there is a gradual decline in performance that goes unchecked."
Regular inspection and maintenance allow early-stage issues to be identified and addressed before they escalate, helping to keep systems functioning as intended and reducing unnecessary water waste. "Taking a preventative approach gives businesses greater control over how water is used and managed, says Lee."
Advances in drainage technology are also making it easier to identify issues earlier. CCTV surveys, including those supported by AI, can detect defects that may otherwise go unnoticed, while monitoring systems can highlight changes in performance in real time. This allows facilities teams to respond more quickly, reducing inefficiency and the risk of disruption.
With increasing pressure on UK water resources and growing awareness around conservation, LDF is encouraging organisations to consider how all parts of their systems contribute to overall performance. And this includes drainage, which remains one of the least visible yet most important elements.
"If organisations are serious about reducing water waste, drainage needs to be part of that conversation," concludes Lee. "Maintaining it properly helps ensure water is used as efficiently as possible."
25th June 2026