The Glasshouse

Northumbrian Water and The Glasshouse have joined forces to make smarter use of water in our venue. Together, we’re finding new ways to save water, reduce costs and protect the planet – all while showing how small changes can make a big difference.

Recently, Northumbrian Water carried out a water audit in our building, checking every water point to find ways we could use less. Jude, Corporate Communications Consultant at Northumbrian Water, says, “We wanted to kickstart some meaningful changes – looking at how much water flows through the building and finding ways to make a real difference for the environment and running costs.”

How did they do it? The audit was a big job. For a typical house, it might involve checking a handful of taps. But here at The Glasshouse there are over 100 sinks, plus toilets and urinals, all of which were assessed to measure water flow and identify opportunities for improvement.

One of the simplest yet most effective solutions was adding aerators to taps. Jude shares, “Putting an aerator on the end of a tap makes it more efficient. 250 sinks at The Glasshouse will have aerators, saving approximately three litres per minute per sink,” she says. “The device doesn’t change the flow of the water, so it’s a small change for a big gain.”

Northumbrian Water is also encouraging our team to spot and report leaks. Jude says, “Fixing something like a dripping tap might seem small, but it really ads up. If you’re curious, put a jug under a dripping tap for an hour and see how much water collects. Fixing these little issues can make a huge difference over time.”

Often, people think of energy efficiency as the key measure for a Net Zero future. Ben, Head of Public Affairs at Northumbrian Water, explains, “Water efficiency is just as important. By being smarter with their usage, The Glasshouse is leading the way in showing how water efficiency can be part of a Net Zero future.”

And it’s not just about us. Jude, points out, “If people see the value of water efficiency here, it might inspire them to think about what they can do in their own homes or workplaces.”

At The Glasshouse, sustainability is a key part of everything we do. By being smarter with water, we’re not just cutting costs – we’re playing our part in protecting the environment and supporting the North East’s wider sustainability goals. It’s about showing that even small changes can have a big impact.

This work ties into Net Zero North East England – a network of organisations working together to make the region greener and more sustainable. And coming together to support the UK’s Green Agenda means we can collectively push toward a brighter future.

Ben explains, “It’s about tackling challenges together – whether that’s around greener jobs, buildings, technology or more, we can tackle many different aspects, including water efficiency, to ensure we’re reaching these goals as a community.”

Jude agrees, “It’s not about who gets there first. We can all learn from each other by sharing experiences and lessons learned. Working together is the way forward.”

The North East may have plenty of water resources, but that doesn’t mean we can be complacent. As Jude puts it, “The climate is changing. What will the weather look like in 25 years? By starting good habits now, we can tackle short term challenges while preparing for the future.”

The audit marks the start of a multi-year collaboration Northumbrian Water. Ben sums it up. “We’re helping The Glasshouse become even more water-aware, while inspiring their audiences and other businesses to do the same.”

Over the next few years, we’ll keep working together to raise awareness, encourage greener habits, and make a difference – one drop at a time.