Ways to conserve water in businesses
Cost-effective ways to reduce your utility costs and benefit the environment.
These actions can significantly reduce water usage, help your business save money on utility bills, and reduce the need for water system maintenance.
Check and test for leaks and damage
A higher-than-normal bill might mean there is a leak or equipment is damaged.
- Check for leaks often and monitor your water bills. A sudden increase might signal a problem, and even minor leaks can raise costs.
- Turn and test your water shutoff valve every 6 months. If it's broken, repair it.
- Keep pipes clear of debris and grease so they keep functioning properly.
Upgrade to equipment that uses less water
- Install WaterSense labeled fixtures — such as such as high-efficiency toilets, low-flow showerheads, and water-efficient faucets — in washrooms, showers, and kitchens.
- Install faucet aerators.
- Replace water-cooled systems with air-cooled systems.
- Use low-volume nozzles on spray washers.
- Install automatic shut-off nozzles to prevent water from running when not in use.
- Replace equipment hoses with spring-loaded shut-off nozzles.
Use water more efficiently indoors and outdoors
Indoors
Reuse water from these alternate sources:
- Air conditioner condensate
- Cooling-tower blow down water
- Final rinses from tank cleaning, washers, and fermenters
- Filter backwash
- Boiler makeup
Adjust overflows by:
- Installing float-controlled valves or solenoid valves (or both).
- Installing surge tanks to avoid system overflow.
- Adjusting and minimizing the flow rate from sprays and lines.
- Turning off all flows during shutdowns.
Outdoors
Hire a certified Water Smart Irrigation Professional (WSIP) contractor to help improve your irrigation system and keep it running efficiently.
Engage and educate employees
- Share tips through emails, newsletters, posters, meetings, training and workshops to help employees understand why saving water matters.
- Create a workplace culture where saving water is important and everyone plays a role.
- Recognize employees who initiate water-saving processes and ideas.
Free water audits for industrial facilities
If you're making large equipment and process changes to an industrial facility, you might qualify for a free water audit.