Water at LSE
Water is a shared and finite resource, and its availability is increasingly affected by climate change, population growth and pressure on urban infrastructure.
At LSE, water use is shaped by a dense central London campus, a large daily population, and a mix of academic, residential and public-facing buildings. Our approach focuses on reducing water demand through infrastructure and system design, while making access to drinking water straightforward and convenient.
Water fountain points across LSE:
Access to free drinking water is an important part of supporting wellbeing and reducing single-use plastic.
More detailed information on water fountains here.
LSE provides over 70 drinking water fountains and refill stations across academic buildings, libraries, common areas and halls of residence, encouraging the use of reusable bottles.
Our approach
LSE’s approach to water management prioritises:
- reducing water use through efficient infrastructure
- detecting and addressing leaks quickly
- improving monitoring and data quality
- supporting hydration while reducing plastic waste
This reflects a systems-first approach, where the biggest savings come from how buildings and services are designed and managed.
Improving water efficiency across the estate
LSE is investing in infrastructure upgrades that reduce water use without relying on individual behaviour change.
This includes:
- replacing taps with water-efficient, sensor-controlled models
- installing vacuum-flushing toilets, which use up to 85% less water per flush than conventional toilets
- introducing waterless urinals across parts of the estate
- using foamed soap dispensers, which reduce the amount of water needed for handwashing
- expanding leak detection systems and smart metering where possible
These measures reduce water demand at scale and help identify issues early.
Monitoring and future improvements
LSE continues to improve how water use is monitored and managed.
This includes:
- upgrading metering and data systems
- targeting maintenance activity where usage patterns suggest leaks or inefficiencies
- integrating water efficiency into refurbishment and capital projects
Together, these measures support more informed decision-making and long-term reductions in water use.
What can I do?
Most water savings at LSE come from infrastructure, maintenance and monitoring. Individual actions are most useful when they help these systems work properly.
You can help by:
- reporting leaks or faulty fittings so they can be fixed quickly
- using drinking water refill points instead of single-use bottled water
- making use of mains-fed water coolers where available
- supporting water-efficient systems already in place