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How poor water management affects hospitality businesses in December
You’ll know, as a business owner or facilities/utilities manager, that as soon as December arrives, you step into the busiest, most demanding season. Hotels fill up, restaurants increase their covers, and pubs and venues often run at full capacity. With all that footfall comes another spike that’s easy to overlook: water usage.
Water doesn’t get the same attention as electricity or staffing during winter peaks, but poor water management in December can have a significant impact on costs, operations and customer experience. At The Business Water Shop, we regularly support hospitality businesses that don’t realise how much the festive season magnifies existing water issues or how easily those issues can be reduced with better oversight or the option to switch business water suppliers.
So, with that in mind, here’s how poor water management affects hospitality operations during December, and what you can do to stay ahead.
Higher water usage leads to higher bills unless it’s managed well
December naturally increases consumption: more guests, more dishwashing, more cleaning, and longer operating hours. If a business isn’t tracking its usage properly or is stuck on an outdated tariff, that seasonal spike can translate into unnecessarily high bills.
Many hospitality businesses only discover in January that their December water charges are much higher than expected. Regular meter readings, reviewing your tariff and making sure your supplier is competitive all play a role in keeping costs under control and in some cases, the most effective solution is to switch business water suppliers to find a tariff that fits seasonal volume.
Leaking or inefficient equipment becomes far more expensive in peak season
A dripping tap or an underperforming boiler seems minor in quiet months, but in December, when usage is at its highest, even small inefficiencies multiply quickly. Leaking toilets and outdated appliances can cost hundreds of pounds extra at a time when margins are already tight.
We often speak with hospitality clients who only notice something is wrong once their winter invoice arrives. However, with better monitoring and a supplier that supports efficiency audits, these issues can be caught much earlier.
Wastewater charges rise with increased activity
Food preparation, dishwashing and cleaning all ramp up during December, and that can raise a business’s wastewater charges, especially if they are placed in a higher charging band due to incorrect readings or outdated supplier data.
Good water management helps make sure your charges are accurate, and switching to a supplier who actively reviews your account can prevent your business from paying more than it should.
Operational risks increase when water issues go unnoticed
Cold weather, higher demand and strained infrastructure can all contribute to water supply disruptions. For hospitality businesses, even a short loss of water can impact guests, food service and hygiene standards.
If your supplier provides slow support or poor communication, this becomes a much bigger problem during December. It’s worth checking whether your current provider offers strong emergency response times, and if not, it may be time to switch business water suppliers and choose a partner with more reliable service levels.
Poor water visibility affects December budgeting and cash flow
December cash flow is tough for many hospitality businesses, especially in the current climate. When water usage isn’t being monitored closely, bills arrive higher than anticipated, leaving less room to cover staffing, stock and festive overheads.
Regular meter readings give you early insights into unusual increases, helping prevent unexpected invoices. If it’s stability you’re looking for, switching to a more transparent supplier with clearer billing can make a major difference during peak season and we can help with that!
You may miss out on seasonal efficiency offers
Some suppliers provide winter efficiency checks or account reviews that can highlight where water can be saved. If a business has poor oversight of its usage or if its supplier isn’t proactive, those opportunities are often missed. A water broker can help you access seasonal deals, or guide you through switching to a supplier who offers better support during high-use periods.
Increased December usage can expose compliance issues
Higher guest numbers mean higher expectations around hygiene, hot water availability, and wastewater management. Poor water oversight can lead to compliance issues, especially in kitchens and accommodation settings.
Staying on top of usage, monitoring your system and making sure your supplier provides accurate data all help maintain compliance during the busiest time of the year.
Poor contracts become more obvious when usage rises
Many hospitality businesses don’t realise how much they’re overpaying for water until December arrives and the bill inflates. Seasonal peaks make inefficiencies more visible and that’s often when business owners decide to switch business water suppliers to secure a more cost-effective deal. If your December bill feels out of proportion to your actual usage, it may be a sign that your current tariff or supplier isn’t serving you well.
Let us help you stay in control this December
Poor water management may not be the first thing hospitality teams think about during December, but it can have a real impact on costs and operations at a time when every resource counts.
At The Business Water Shop, we work with hospitality businesses across the UK to help them:
- Reduce unnecessary seasonal water costs
- Identify leaks and usage spikes sooner
- Compare and switch business water suppliers easily
- Stay on the most competitive tariff for their usage
- Ensure smooth, accurate billing year-round
If December is highlighting issues with your water bills, or if you simply want to understand whether you could be paying less, now is the ideal time to switch business water suppliers. It only takes a few minutes to get your online quote, and our team is here to guide you every step of the way!
