Saving water starts with insight: How Egbert Leiting helps organisations use water and energy more efficiently
For many organisations, water is taken for granted. It flows from taps, cools installations, heats buildings, and supports industrial processes. Only when costs rise, systems fail, or sustainability becomes a priority does a key question emerge: are we actually using water efficiently?
According to Egbert Leiting, this question represents a major opportunity. As Technical Director at Normec Kalsbeek and Normec Aquaserva, he works every day on safe water, water conservation, and energy efficiency. “Water plays a crucial role in almost everything we do,” Egbert explains. “It’s not only essential for health and safety, but also a key medium for energy transport in buildings and industrial processes.”
Driven by that belief, it comes as no surprise that Egbert joined the ESG Change Champion community. According to Egbert, water management is one of the most underestimated elements of ESG policy. While organisations often focus on electricity or CO₂ emissions, water usage and quality have just as much impact on sustainability, operational reliability, and costs. “When you use water more intelligently, you almost automatically reduce energy consumption as well,” he says. “Less water means less heating, less pumping, and less strain on installations.”
From compliance to real impact
In many organisations, attention to water starts with regulations or safety concerns, such as drinking water systems, showers, or cooling towers. But according to Egbert, the real value lies in going beyond compliance and focusing on continuous improvement. “We regularly conduct water scans for companies,” he explains. “We not only look at safety and quality, but also identify where water is lost or used unnecessarily.”
These analyses often reveal surprising opportunities, such as:
Systems that continuously consume water without being noticed
Installations using more energy due to contamination or poor water quality
Outdated equipment with excessive water demand
Processes where water reuse is possible
“Many organisations underestimate how much they can save without major investments,” Egbert says. “In many cases, small technical adjustments already deliver immediate results.”
Looking ahead: smarter water use in buildings and industry
In the coming year, Egbert will focus particularly on the areas where he sees significant untapped potential: water conservation in buildings and industrial environments. Through water scans and practical advice, his goal is to help organisations identify opportunities for both water and energy savings, often through targeted improvements in systems and water quality.
His message is straightforward: “Start small, but start. Gaining insight into water usage almost always reveals opportunities for sustainability, cost savings, and better system performance.”