Stockport NHS staff working in both clinical and non-clinical roles, took part in environmental days to learn more practical ways to save water at home and at work.

Activities were part of actions to boost water efficiency and support further progress on Green Plans at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Stepping Hill Hospital and local community NHS services, together with Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Increasing water efficiency can help reduce carbon emissions, accelerating decarbonisation actions underway at sites in England and Scotland.

Business water retailer Water Plus provided engagement and awareness sessions at Stepping Hill Hospital and Tameside General Hospital to promote water saving tips to those working for the two hospital trusts.

Laura Swann, Sustainability Manager at the trusts, said:

“By working together Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust and Water Plus are empowering staff with simple, practical ways to save water every day. This partnership strengthens our commitment to sustainability, helping us protect vital resources, reduce environmental impact, and build a greener future for our community.”

In August 2025, a Joint Green Plan was adopted by the two trusts to reach Net Zero by 2040, for emissions they directly control (the NHS Carbon Footprint). It also set a Net Zero target of 2045 for emissions they can influence (NHS Carbon Footprint Plus).

The joined-up programme allows best practice to be shared across both organisations to drive further progress towards the Net Zero targets. It follows Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s Green Plan, launched in 2022, with recent environmental initiatives including tree-planting at the trust, in the last year.

The two trusts are also adding data loggers onto water meters, in their proactive water management approach with Water Plus. It’s part of steps by both trusts to further build operational resilience and identify more efficiency opportunities, with daily water data feeding into an analysis portal from the loggers.

In the events, Water Plus ran a 3-question quiz on the days to get people at the two trusts engaging around water awareness, including how many litres of water could be used in a 6-minute shower. Shower-timers were provided for staff as part of the engagement days, which saw more than 100 people working at the Trusts joining the sessions.

Dan Hutchins, a Water Plus Key Account Manager who works with both trusts and ran the collaborative awareness events said:

“A running tap could use between 6 litres and 9 litres a minute and many hadn’t realised how much water can be used in that time. Doing the event and the quiz really helped people identify more actions to consider and take, including the importance of reporting dripping taps to facilities teams.

“It was great to engage with staff in such a wide range of roles at the two trusts, who were all aware of how to report any signs of a leak at sites, which was great to see. The day emphasised how everyone can make a difference to cut water use where it’s not needed.

“Water efficiency at work and at home are really important topics and it was clear that staff at the trusts were more aware of how – and where – they’re using water.”