Water progress

Water consumption per year

The following graph shows total water use on the University's operational estate between 2014-15 and 2023-24 in cubic metres (m³).

Bar chart showing total water consumption per year in metres cubed. Water consumption increased from 400,000 in 2014-15 to just above 450,000 in 2018-19, before dropping to just above 350,000 in 2022-23. Levels have gone to just below 450,000 in 2023-24.

Summary

  • Total water consumption was 15% higher in 2023-24 against 2014-15 levels. This is due to better understanding of consumption based on improved metering.
  • Water consumption reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic when much estate-based activity was paused, but has since returned to pre-COVID levels.

Note

  • The University began installing automated water meter reading devices on to its largest consuming water meters in 2023. This has allowed us to develop a more accurate understanding of our water consumption. Before 2023, year on year differences are a reflection of billing patterns and inconsistent meter reading schedules.
  • Also, the University has been receiving synchronous billing (i.e. real-time data) across both its water consumption and wastewater disposal since January 2023. This gives us a more accurate understanding of what we consume. Whilst these measures have increased our water footprint in 2023-24, the improved data is providing a baseline against which we will measure the success of future water efficiency initiatives.

Additional and historic data

For our commitments and approach, please visit the Water page.

All previous Annual Environmental Sustainability Reports and carbon emissions reports are available up to 2022-23. Our reporting approach changed from the 2023-24 year onwards to Our progress pages to make information more transparent and accessible. Qualitative progress against our commitments can be found within our Case studies. These will both be updated on an ongoing basis as new data and material becomes available.

You can also read about the University's work on environmental sustainability in its Annual Report and Financial Statements. Further operational environmental sustainability information is available on request using sustainability@admin.cam.ac.uk