From hidden leaks to estate-wide water intelligence at Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust
Turning monitoring insight into targeted investigation and continued improvement
SWAES has supported Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust since 2022, combining high-frequency monitoring, regular reporting and on-site investigation to identify hidden water loss, target remedial action and build a clearer understanding of consumption across its education estate.
Client
Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust
Sector
Education
Services
Water Intelligence • Monitoring • Reporting • Leak Detection • On-site Investigation • Benchmarking
From reactive readings to continuous visibility
The engagement began at Okehampton College, where reliance on monthly meter readings provided limited visibility and made water management largely reactive. SWAES reviewed two years of historical billing information and introduced continuous monitoring across the main supply and selected secondary services, creating a clearer picture of how and when water was being used.
Turning an anomaly into a targeted investigation
Monitoring revealed abnormal consumption and two significant hidden leaks. SWAES engineers attended with non-invasive ultrasonic monitoring equipment, pinpointing one leak location and narrowing the probable area of a further loss so remedial work could be targeted more effectively.
The investigation identified two major hidden leaks and helped the college avoid more than £20,000 in water losses. It demonstrated why an alert alone is not enough: the greatest value comes from interpreting the data, investigating the cause and supporting practical action.
Reporting keeps water visible
Regular SWAES reporting explains consumption trends, persistent baseload, abnormal use and priorities for further investigation. This continued contact keeps water performance visible and turns monitoring data into informed decisions rather than leaving information on a dashboard.
Extending visibility across the Trust
The success at Okehampton led to wider monitoring across Okehampton College, OCRA and Tavistock College. Comparing sites using measures such as litres per pupil helps the Trust understand relative performance, identify unusual consumption and prioritise sites that may benefit from closer investigation.
Quarterly water stories and league-table comparisons can support consistent benchmarking and give schools a clearer view of their progress within the wider estate.
A foundation for continued improvement
The relationship has developed from an initial monitoring project into an ongoing programme of analysis, investigation and estate-wide learning. SWAES continues to help the Trust respond to suspected losses, understand changing consumption patterns and build a coordinated approach to long-term water reduction.