Portsmouth Water has supported the Mountbatten Leisure Centre to make major water efficiency improvements, with the potential to save up to 4 million litres of water per year – the same as over one and a half Olympic swimming pools.
The savings were identified following a water efficiency audit. It revealed that by repairing existing leaks and installing water-saving devices at a cost of just under £10,000 the leisure centre could achieve these significant savings. This represents a major contribution towards Portsmouth Water’s overall business water efficiency targets.
Recognising the potential savings, Portsmouth Water funded the installation of tap aerators, water efficient shower heads, flush-saving devices, a more efficient urinal system, as well as fixing existing leaks.
The project is still in its early stages, with Portsmouth Water currently monitoring reductions in water consumption at the centre. Following this pilot, the company plans to roll out water efficiency audits to other businesses in the region, including additional leisure centres, to identify similar opportunities.
Bob Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Portsmouth Water, said:
“This partnership shows the significant benefits that relatively simple, cost-effective changes can make. Saving 4 million litres per year from a single business would be a fantastic outcome. By rolling out these audits more widely, we can see if similar savings can be achieved across other businesses in our area.
“The South East faces growing challenges from climate change, population growth, and we also need to make sure we’re leaving enough water in the environment to support nature. That’s why we’re delivering our largest ever investment programme over the next five years. As a company, we’re using innovative approaches like satellites and specially trained leakage detection dogs to find and fix leaks faster. We are also rolling out key water efficiency initiatives like smart water meters, supporting homes in our supply area to detect leaks early and helping them to reduce water use.”
Mountbatten Leisure Centre is operated by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live on behalf of Portsmouth City Council. BH Live is a leading leisure and event venue operator actively improving the health and wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of residents across Portsmouth and beyond.
On behalf of BH Live, Matt Low, Portsmouth Area Manager, said:
“After approaching Portsmouth Water in 2025 to explore how we could boost water efficiency and cut waste at the Mountbatten Leisure Centre, this collaboration has proven incredibly transformative. As a charity, we’re committed to running our leisure centres as sustainably and responsibly as possible, so seeing these improvements already driving meaningful gains in efficiency is incredibly encouraging.
“Reducing water use not only supports the environment but also enables us to reinvest more of our resources into providing accessible health, wellbeing and community services. We’re proud to be part of this pilot and look forward to the long‑term benefits it will deliver for both the centre and the wider region.”
The water efficiency audit and installation of fittings was carried out by H2OiQ, who provide expertise in helping customers understand and reduce their water consumption.
The Mountbatten Leisure Centre is supplied by business water retailer Castle Water, who enabled Portsmouth Water to initiate this project with the centre.
Reducing leakage is a key priority for Portsmouth Water, both now and in the future. A record-breaking 2025 saw us find and fix over 4,000 leaks.
Helping customers to use water more efficiently is also key. Portsmouth Water is rolling out a universal smart water metering programme, which can reduce water use by up to 12% by detecting leaks and encouraging customers to use water more wisely.
Customers can also access free water-saving devices here:
GetWaterFit
For more information about saving water, visit:
Water saving tips – in the home | Portsmouth Water
For more information about BH Live, visit bhlive.org.uk.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Newspage thumbnail – (Left) Sam Dawson, Head of Demand Management at Portsmouth Water and (Right) Matt Low, Portsmouth Area Manager, pictured outside the Mountbatten Leisure Centre.
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council, Croydon Council, and Southampton City Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn – BH Live
Facebook – @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.