How Do Businesses Conserve Water?
Energy efficiency and resource conservation are opportunities for organizations to save money and meet their corporate environmental goals. Commercial water conservation can have a big impact on your local community as well. Do your part and learn how to reduce your commercial water use.
Why Water Conservation Makes Sense
Aside from the obvious environmental benefits of conserving water, businesses benefit on their bottom line. Over the past ten years, the national average costs of water and wastewater services have increased faster than the consumer price index, which is one measure of inflation. Lowering water consumption can also lower energy costs associated with water heating. Businesses can also benefit by meeting green certifications, water use reduction rebates, and other incentives.
Related Content: How Manufacturers Can Reduce Industry Energy Costs
Water Conservation Tips For Businesses
The EPA offers several resources to help businesses reduce water use in many industries and applications. Service businesses can install water-saving devices and more efficient appliances. There are plenty of ways for businesses to reduce their water use indoors and outdoors
Indoor Water Conservation
Water use varies in manufacturing and industrial facilities, but office buildings and office parks share consistent water use. Indoor water use in office buildings is used primarily for washing and restrooms, but not all of it.
Kitchen/Dishwashing: 13%
Cooling and Heating: 28%
Domestic/Restroom: 37%
The rest of the commercial water budget, roughly 22%, is dedicated to outdoor landscaping.
Indoor Water Conservation Tips
Through communication and fixture upgrades, businesses can realize immediate reduction in their water consumption.
Communication - The best way to conserve water is to encourage staff to be mindful of their water use habits. Post signs and stickers wherever water is used reminding everyone to turn off the tap and be proactive about lowering their water consumption.
Upgrade Fixtures – Using certified WaterSense fixtures, businesses can immediately use 20% less water. This substantial savings offers a short return on investment.
Start in the Bathroom – Bathroom plumbing uses the most amount of water in most office building environments, so upgrade old toilets first. Take the time to assess the functionality of toilets and sinks and replace them before they need consistent repair or leak.
Outdoor Water Conservation Tips
Vegetation – Use native plants to enhance your landscaping and avoid large lawns. Grass is a water-intensive plant that requires widespread and consistent watering. Speak with a local expert to find local plants that need less water to thrive and try to group more plants that need water close together to make watering them more efficient.
Raise Your Mower Deck – Increasing grass height 2-3 inches helps the soil retain moisture longer, makes the grass itself more efficient in capturing sunlight and encourages a deep root structure that makes turf thicker and more resilient.
Conserve Water, Conserve Energy With Keen
Keen can help identify opportunities to conserve water and energy as a part of our in-depth energy audit. For more than two decades, Keen Technical Solutions has worked with decision-makers at organizations across all verticals to reduce energy use and prepare their businesses for a green future. See what we can do for you. Contact us today to get started.