NOTTS County Council has saved taxpayers more than £640,000 by pulling the plug on wasted water.
More than 715,000 cubic metres of water are used by the council every year – the equivalent of nearly 300 Olympic-size swimming pools.
The supply and treatment of water costs about £660,000 a year.
To drive down its bills the council has been working with water management firm ADSM to identify ways to install water saving measures in its buildings, ensure sites are billed accurately, get refunds where water suppliers have overcharged and fix leaks quickly.
Phil Keynes, head of the Energy and Carbon Management Team at the council, urged people to watch their water at home too.
"With growing uncertainty about weather patterns and the availability of water to the extent we've enjoyed in the past, it's important that everyone ensures they only use what they need to," he said. "The same applies whether you are a big organisation with lots of buildings like the County Council, or an individual householder.
"The County Council has saved a lot of water and money through simple measures, such as encouraging Council employees to use water wisely, report dripping taps or plumbing faults and making small adaptations. Many of the measures we've introduced can also be applied in the home."
By the end of December 2012, the council had saved £642,000 on water bills.
To save water at home people can:
Turning the tap off when brushing teeth.
Choose a water efficient toilet or one with a dual flush. Fix dripping taps
The county council plans to save further water by upgrading taps and toilets.
