As the UK continues to experience one of the driest years on record, with prolonged hot and dry conditions following a parched spring, Landmarc is proud to announce that one of our Defence Training Estate (DTE) sites has been awarded the Waterwise Checkmark; a respected certification that recognises excellence and continuous improvement in water efficiency.
This respected certification operated by Waterwise, a not-for-profit organisation supported by the UK’s water companies, acknowledges sites that have demonstrated strong water-saving behaviours, technologies and a clear commitment to ongoing improvement. It is a meaningful recognition that shows we are on the right path to smarter, more sustainable water use across the estate.
This recognition comes at a critical time. The Met Office has declared that “extreme weather is the UK’s new normal,” and water companies have already implemented Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) – formerly known as hosepipe bans – across parts of the country, including regions covered by Yorkshire Water, Thames Water and South East Water. While current restrictions target domestic uses such as watering gardens or filling paddling pools, wider and more prolonged bans are likely if weather conditions do not improve.
That’s why it’s essential that organisations like Landmarc take proactive steps to conserve water. The Waterwise Checkmark not only validates our efforts to reduce water use, but also strengthens our commitment to resilience, sustainability and environmental responsibility.
We have a duty to support the Ministry of Defence in maintaining operational readiness while being responsible stewards of public resources. Reducing our water usage during drought conditions is not just about compliance, it’s about long-term sustainability and doing what’s right.
The trial Waterwise-certified site was chosen as a pilot for a wider rollout across the Defence Training Estate. Achieving certification required both physical upgrades, like water-efficient devices and fittings and a focus on promoting water-saving behaviour among users. This is just the beginning: a trial whole-site retrofitting programme is due to be announced soon.
“This award is a fantastic milestone,” said Steve Judd, Sustainability Manager. “It proves that we’re not only investing in better infrastructure but also driving behaviour change that supports our long-term sustainability goals. With the Waterwise Checkmark, we’ve got a credible platform to build from – and now we’re looking at how to replicate this success across the estate.”
Water supply and disposal on the estate is complex, especially in remote and often challenging locations. These services are delivered under Aquatrine, one of the MOD’s largest Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts. Landmarc and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) are working together to drive down water usage through both infrastructure improvements and user-focused behavioural campaigns, the latter of which will launch across all DTE sites in Autumn 2025.
Together, we can be Waterwise.
