Clean Water and Sanitation
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. For SMEs, this means reducing water waste, preventing pollution, improving hygiene practices, and choosing responsible suppliers, especially locally.
A practical example, local and repeatable
A Blackburn based food prep business saw rising water bills and inconsistent cleaning results. They fitted low flow spray nozzles, introduced a simple “clean as you go” routine, and trained staff on using the right dilution ratios. Over the next quarter, they reduced water use, improved hygiene compliance, and cut costs without slowing operations.
- Fixed leaks and fitted low flow nozzles
- Standardised cleaning routines and dilution ratios
- Logged weekly water meter readings
- Lower water and energy costs
- Cleaner work areas and fewer non conformances
- Stronger trust with local customers
They added “water efficient cleaning”, “hygiene standards”, and “responsible local supplier” to their SDG:Zero listing. This helped with searches like “hygienic food prep Blackburn” and “eco responsible business near me”, while reinforcing credibility.
Quick explainer video
Hear how SDG 6 links to local SMEs, and the simple changes that reduce water waste, improve hygiene, and build trust.
Practical actions for SMEs
Take weekly meter readings and set a simple reduction target.
Create a quick reporting routine so small leaks do not become big bills.
Low flow taps, spray nozzles, and dual flush toilets reduce waste with minimal disruption.
Store chemicals correctly and follow safe disposal guidance to protect drains and waterways.
Simple checklists and training improve consistency in toilets, kitchens, and shared spaces.
Listing copy examples you can use
We actively reduce water use by tracking consumption, fixing leaks quickly, and improving fixtures where possible.
We maintain consistent hygiene standards with cleaning routines, staff training, and regular checks.
We handle chemicals responsibly and follow safe disposal practices to protect local waterways.
Simple metrics to track
Total usage and usage per head or per job, depending on your business type.
Number of issues reported and time to fix, plus estimated water saved.
Checklist completion, audit results, and improvement actions taken.
Turn water efficiency into local credibility
Customers notice clean, well run businesses. When you reduce water waste and improve hygiene standards, you protect local resources and your reputation. Add SDG 6 to your SDG:Zero listing, then share simple updates, what you changed, what you track, and the results.