Glasgow City Council

£1.3 million saved for the public purse. Using our gainshare model to invest in infrastructure changes, to combat budget constrains.

16 December 2016 Reading time: 3 minutes

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Business Stream’s experts pioneered a ‘gainshare’ model to help Glasgow City Council implement water efficiencies when the council’s budget couldn’t stretch. 

The Challenge

Keen to find efficiencies, Glasgow City Council asked us to scope out potential water savings across its 700-plus sites. Our experts’ analysis suggested the council and its sport and culture operator stood to save as much as £1 million by implementing water efficiency measures. There was just one problem. Pressure on budgets meant that the council couldn’t find initial investment to release those savings. 

The Solution

In discussion with the council, we came up with a pioneering ‘gainshare’ model. Business Stream would fund upfront investment in the infrastructure and labour required. In return, we would take a share of the savings as they were realised. 

  • With the agreement in place, we set to work by: 
  • installing automated meter readers (AMR) at key sites to identify unusual water consumption 
  • tracking down and tackling hidden busts across the estate 
  • installing water-saving devices in sinks and toilets where analysis suggested these could deliver savings. 
The Successful Outcome

Our work has yielded savings even higher than originally forecast. 

  • Over four years, we expect to be able to help the council save £1.3 million. 
  • That equates to 1,105 tonnes of carbon – helping the council meet its emissions targets too. 
  • The council has therefore recouped big savings without having to stump up capital investment. 

Download Case Study

It’s the perfect arrangement for us – one that other progressive public bodies will want to explore
Maureen Buchanan Corporate Procurement (Utilities),Glasgow City Council 

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