Tips for Businesses

Facility managers are finding that water efficiency programs are a way to reduce operating costs and save water at the same time. Here are some things you can incorporate into your day-to-day business practices to help conserve water.

General Management Practices

• Educate and involve employees in water efficiency efforts.
• Inform your service contractors that water efficiency is a priority.

Equipment Changes

• Install high-efficiency toilets, or retrofit water-saving devices on existing toilets.
• Install faucet aerators and showerheads.
• Replace high-volume hoses with high pressure, low-volume cleaning systems.
• Use water-conserving icemakers.
• Eliminate "once-through" cooling of equipment with municipal water by recycling water flow to cooling tower or replacing with air-cooled equipment.

Operating and Maintenance Procedures

• Find and repair all leaks.
• Turn off all flows during shutdowns. Use solenoid valves to stop the flow of water when production stops.

Kitchen and Laundry Practices

• Run dishwashers only with full loads.
• Scrape rather than rinse dishes before washing.
• Do not use running water to melt ice or frozen foods.

Outdoor Uses

• Sweep paved areas rather than hosing off.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.

Last updated 03-06-08