Any business, building, or industry, including the marine industry, that relies on water systems needs effective water management. Planning helps you use water wisely and efficiently. A good water management plan lets you control how water flows through your systems and identify potential risks.

Proper water management plans improve efficiency, reduce water waste, and lower costs. They also simplify compliance with health and safety regulations, helping you avoid fines and compliance issues. For the marine industry and beyond, water management plans are crucial for keeping water safe and clean and reducing the risk of contaminants affecting your system. By developing and implementing a strategic water management plan, your business processes become safer, smoother, and more reliable.

What is a water management plan?

A water management plan is a structured approach to managing a building's water services, including processes like dewatering when necessary. It provides guidance on using, monitoring, and treating water to ensure its safety. The plan clearly outlines steps to address risks such as pollution, inefficient systems, or issues requiring dewatering. It isn’t a one-time effort—it requires regular updates and inspections to stay effective.

A water management plan aims to maintain water quality, prevent health risks, and ensure systems operate smoothly. It also minimizes problems such as bacterial growth, water waste, equipment damage, or complications related to dewatering. Having a clear plan allows you to identify issues early and resolve them before they escalate, contributing to water systems' long-term safety and efficiency.

Benefits of a water management plan

Preventing legionella

Legionella bacteria thrive in stagnant or poorly maintained water systems, and exposure can lead to Legionnaires’ disease, a serious respiratory illness. A better water management plan reduces risk by regularly cleaning, monitoring, and treating water systems.

Improving efficiency

Efficient water use helps reduce waste and lower operational costs. A water management plan ensures that you’re getting the most out of your resources by identifying and addressing clogs in your water system.

Ensuring compliance

By implementing and following a strategic water management plan, you can meet the rules and quality standards of regulating authorities and stay out of trouble with the law. It shows that your business is committed to delivering safe, compliant, and high-performing goods and services.

Step-by-step guide to implementing a water management plan

Implementing a water management plan doesn’t have to be complicated. Each step helps you better understand your water systems, reduce risks, and keep everything running smoothly. Here’s a simple guide to get you started.

Step 1. Do an assessment of the site

First, pay close attention to your building's water systems. Knowing how water goes through your building, what it's used for, and where issues might be hiding is helpful. It is important to check the water tanks, lines, cooling towers and hot water systems. The goal is to make a picture of the whole water system and find places where things are going wrong.

Ask yourself some key questions:

• Do you have a cooling tower or central hot water system?

• Are there decorative fountains, swimming pools, or hot tubs?

• Are there areas where water might stagnate or sit unused for long periods?

Step 2. Identify high-risk applications and buildings

Not all parts of your water system pose the same level of risk. Some areas are more prone to problems, especially those that generate mist or vapour, like cooling towers or humidifiers. Bugs like Legionella can get into the air through these. Many people are also more likely to get sick in big buildings, old pipes, and systems where the water is warm enough to help bacteria grow.

Find these high-risk areas and put them at the top of your water management plan. Even if a place doesn't look very risky, it should still be on the list. Following basic safety rules when maintaining everything helps avoid problems that come up unexpectedly in the future.

Step 3. Set up a team to handle water issues

Getting the right people involved is key to making a plan work. Form a water management team that includes staff members and experts who know how your water systems work. This could include facility managers, maintenance staff, and water treatment professionals. You might also need specialists like engineers or outside consultants if your facility is large.

Step 4. Make the plan

It's now time to create a better water management plan. Start by listing all the areas needing monitoring and outlining the steps required to keep them safe and functioning efficiently. This includes determining how frequently to clean, the best methods for treating the water, and effective strategies to prevent the growth of harmful germs.

Create flow diagrams to show how water moves through your facility and highlight potential trouble spots.

Set clear goals, such as reducing water waste, improving efficiency, or meeting safety standards. Outline how you’ll achieve these goals, who’s responsible for each task, and how often checks will be done. Also, make sure you include a plan for how to handle problems if they arise, such as pollution or system failures that you didn't expect.

Step 5. Monitor and evaluate progress

The work doesn't end when you make a plan. There are many checks to make sure everything works right. Often, check your water systems for issues like bugs, rust, and more. Make a list of everything you did, and then look at it against your safety goals and standards.

If something doesn’t go according to plan, be ready to make adjustments like changing cleaning schedules, updating equipment, or improving water treatment methods. Regular evaluations help you avoid problems and keep your water systems in good shape.

Document everything — from test results to actions taken — so you have a clear history of your water management efforts.

Tips to ensure the efficiency of water management plans

When it comes to managing water systems effectively, the best ways are simply the practices that help you achieve consistent results, prevent risks, and stay compliant. These methods focus on maintaining water quality, keeping systems efficient, and following regulations. By applying these proven approaches, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure your water management plan works smoothly over the long term.

Once your water management plan is set up, it's important to keep it up to date. Pay close attention to these areas.

Conduct routine maintenance and testing

Regular maintenance and testing are essential for preventing problems and ensuring your water systems perform well. Routine maintenance includes checking all parts of your system on a schedule, cleaning cooling towers, flushing pipes, and inspecting storage tanks. It also helps prevent issues like bacterial growth, corrosion, and blockages.

Testing your water quality is just as important. Regular tests for bacteria, pH levels, and mineral content help spot issues early. If something is off, you can take quick action to correct it. Maintaining a consistent maintenance and testing schedule makes it easier to avoid potential problems.

Keep up with industry regulations and standards

Water management regulations can change over time, and staying informed is important. Different industries and regions have specific guidelines for water quality, safety, and documentation. Keeping up with these rules helps you avoid fines and ensures your facility remains compliant.

You can stay updated by subscribing to industry newsletters, joining professional associations, or working with water treatment experts familiar with the latest standards. Being aware of regulation changes means adjusting your plan when needed and avoiding falling behind on compliance.

Track all maintenance measures

Keeping good records is an important part of any water management plan. Clear and accurate records help you track your work and show that you follow safety rules. For example, you should keep track of test results, maintenance chores, and any steps taken to fix things.

Reports should be easy to read and include dates, actions, and who carried out each task. Effective documentation makes it easier to identify patterns, spot recurring issues, and prove compliance during inspections or audits. Having everything in order helps your team stay organised and ensures you’re ready to address any concerns from regulators or stakeholders.

Tools and resources for better water management

Taking care of your water systems is easier and more effective when you have the right tools and information. These tools allow you to monitor your water management plan, fix it, and improve it.

Water testing kits and equipment

It's important to test the water quality often, and having reliable testing kits on hand makes it easy to do so quickly. Simple tests can tell you many things, like the pH level, the amount of germs, and the minerals in something.

Products and services for water treatment

Managing water systems can be challenging at times and requires help from professionals. Water treatment companies clean, treat with chemicals, and check the system. They can also offer products that prevent problems like corrosion or the growth of bacteria.

Software and monitoring tools

These platforms can monitor water quality in real time, store maintenance records, and even send alerts if something goes wrong. Automated systems help streamline water management efforts and reduce the chance of missing important tasks.

Industry guidelines and educational resources

Many industry associations provide guidelines, best practice documents, and training materials. Websites, webinars, and newsletters can help you stay updated with the latest developments and regulations.

Managing your water systems doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Using the right tools and staying informed can create a water management plan that works efficiently and keeps your facility safe. If you’re ready to improve your water management or need expert support, don’t hesitate to reach out and take the next step.