The summer holidays give schools a valuable opportunity to carry out checks that can be difficult to complete during a busy term.

One of the most useful is checking for water leaks.

When pupils and most staff are away, water use should fall considerably. This makes it much easier to notice unusual consumption and identify potential problems before they lead to higher bills, wasted water or damage to the building.

At Wodr, we help schools understand and manage their water use more effectively. A simple leak check during the summer can be a practical first step.

Why is the summer break a good time to check?

During term time, schools use water throughout the day.

Toilets, kitchens, classrooms, science rooms, sports facilities and cleaning teams all contribute to normal consumption. With so much activity, it can be difficult to tell whether extra water use is caused by everyday operations or by a leak.

During the holidays, expected usage is much lower.

If the water meter continues to show steady or significant consumption when the site is mostly empty, this may suggest that water is being lost somewhere within the system.

Where might leaks occur?

Some leaks are easy to spot, while others can remain hidden for a long time.

Common areas to check include:

• Toilet cisterns that continue to run
• Taps that drip or do not close properly
• Urinals with faulty controls
• Underground pipework
• Outdoor taps and irrigation systems
• Storage tanks and float valves
• Heating and cooling equipment
• Older or damaged internal pipework

Even a small leak can waste a surprising amount of water if it continues for several weeks.

How can schools check for leaks?

1. Take a meter reading

Record the water meter reading before the school closes or at the start of a quiet period.

Taking a clear photograph can be helpful.

Check the meter again after a few days when little or no water should have been used. An unexplained increase may need further investigation.

2. Look at overnight water use

Schools with automated meter reading or online consumption data may be able to review hourly or half-hourly usage.

During the holidays, water use should usually fall very low overnight. A steady flow during periods when the building is empty can be a sign of a leak or an appliance that has been left running.

3. Walk through toilets and washrooms

Toilets are a common source of hidden water waste.

A cistern may continue to refill quietly, or water may trickle into the toilet pan without being immediately noticeable.

Listen for running water and check whether any toilets, taps or urinals appear to be operating when they should not be.

4. Check outdoor areas

Inspect outdoor taps, irrigation equipment, valve covers and visible pipework.

Unusually wet ground, standing water or a particularly green patch of grass during dry weather may indicate an underground leak.

5. Review recent bills and usage

Compare recent water consumption with the same period in previous years.

A noticeable increase that cannot be explained by building work, lettings or summer activities may point to a problem.

Why is early detection important?

Finding a leak early can help a school avoid unnecessary cost and disruption.

Leaks can:

• Increase water and wastewater charges.
• Cause damp, mould or structural damage.
• Waste large volumes of treated water.
• Affect sustainability targets.
• Lead to repair work during term time.

The sooner a possible leak is identified, the easier it is to investigate and resolve before pupils and staff return.

How Wodr can support schools

Wodr helps schools, academies and multi-academy trusts gain a clearer view of their water use.

By reviewing bills, consumption patterns and meter data, we can help identify unusual usage and highlight areas that may need further attention.

Where specialist investigation is required, we can also help connect schools with trusted leak detection and water management partners.

The summer holidays offer a quieter period in which to carry out these checks. A simple meter reading and a walk around the site could help prevent water waste, reduce costs and avoid an unexpected problem in September.

Every summer, schools across the UK prepare for one of their longest periods of reduced occupancy. While classrooms may sit empty, your water system shouldn’t be forgotten.

Six weeks of little or no water use creates the perfect conditions for water stagnation, increasing the risk of bacteria such as Legionella developing within pipework, storage tanks and outlets.

For school business managers, estates teams and facilities professionals, maintaining good water hygiene throughout the summer break is an essential part of health and safety compliance. At Wodr, we help organisations manage their water services efficiently. Here’s what every school should be doing to keep their water systems safe over the holidays.

Why does water hygiene matter?

When water remains stagnant for extended periods, its temperature can rise into the range where bacteria thrive. Legionella bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease, multiply most readily in warm, stagnant water.

Schools are responsible for managing this risk under the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH Regulations, and the Health and Safety Executive’s Approved Code of Practice L8.

Good water hygiene isn’t simply about compliance—it protects staff, contractors and pupils when buildings return to normal use.

Before the school closes

Preparation should begin before the final day of term.

A comprehensive pre-holiday inspection should include:

• Reviewing the school’s Legionella risk assessment.
• Identifying areas that will receive little or no water use during the holiday.
• Confirming hot water is stored at 60°C or above, with distribution temperatures reaching at least 50°C at outlets where appropriate.
• Checking that cold water remains below 20°C where practicable.
• Ensuring any water treatment equipment, filters or softeners are operating correctly.
• Isolating or removing redundant pipework or unused outlets where possible.

Taking these steps before the building empties helps reduce risks throughout the closure period.

Should schools flush their water systems during the holidays?

In most cases, yes.

Although the Health and Safety Executive does not specifically require weekly flushing, it does require schools to implement suitable control measures based on their Legionella risk assessment.

For many schools, weekly flushing remains the simplest and most effective way of preventing prolonged water stagnation.

During the holiday period, responsible staff or contractors should flush all infrequently used outlets, including:

• Classroom taps.
• Washroom facilities.
• Showers and changing rooms.
• Drinking water fountains.
• Kitchen sinks.
• Science laboratory outlets.
• Cleaner’s sinks.
• External hose connections.

Both hot and cold water should be flushed until fresh water has fully circulated through the system, typically between two and five minutes depending on the size of the building.

Each flush should be recorded in a maintenance log, noting the date, outlet and person carrying out the task.

Don’t forget showers

Showers present a higher risk because they create fine water droplets that can be inhaled.

Before schools reopen:

• Remove and clean shower heads where required.
• Descale and disinfect them in line with your water hygiene programme.
• Flush showers thoroughly before allowing them to be used.

If showers are flushed during the holidays, care should be taken to minimise aerosol generation wherever possible.

Preparing for September

The recommissioning process before staff and pupils return is arguably the most important stage of the school’s water hygiene programme.

Before reopening, schools should:

• Flush every water outlet throughout the building.
• Check hot and cold water temperatures at sentinel outlets.
• Verify water heaters are operating correctly.
• Restart any equipment that was isolated during the closure.
• Inspect storage tanks where required.
• Complete any scheduled maintenance identified in the Legionella risk assessment.

Where significant changes have been made to the water system—or concerns have been identified—additional microbiological sampling may also be recommended by your competent water hygiene contractor.

Keep accurate records

Water hygiene management doesn’t end with carrying out the work.

Schools should maintain clear records of:

• Weekly flushing activities
• Temperature monitoring
• Cleaning and disinfection of shower heads
• Water system inspections
• Maintenance and remedial works
• Any issues identified and actions taken

These records provide evidence that the school is effectively managing its legal responsibilities and can prove invaluable during inspections or audits.

How Wodr can help

Managing water hygiene involves more than simply paying your water bill.

As a specialist business water utilities broker, Wodr works with schools, academies and multi-academy trusts to help them manage every aspect of their water services. Alongside helping organisations secure competitive water contracts, we can connect customers with trusted water hygiene specialists, support effective water management, identify opportunities to reduce water consumption and improve operational efficiency across their estates.

Whether you’re responsible for a single primary school or an entire academy trust, taking a proactive approach to water hygiene helps protect your people, remain compliant and ensure your buildings are ready for a safe return in September.

Need support with your school’s water services?

If you’d like advice on water management, supplier performance or reducing water costs across your education estate, the Wodr team is here to help.