Water waste poses a real threat to a company's bottom line. Even worse, the cost of inefficient water use will continue to rise as national water shortages increase. The Environmental Protection Agency warns businesses that 80 percent of state governments expect a significant water shortage to occur within the next decade. Companies can prepare for inevitable price hikes and mitigate the problem by committing to these water-saving solutions.
Measure company consumption
Companies can utilize water meters to track their building's water usage and identify sources of excess water use. Advanced water metering devices provide day-to-day water usage readouts and can be used to measure the efficiency of your building's water systems as a whole. Water pressure measurements can also be used to determine determine if a pressure booster can help eliminate instances of low flow throughout your building's plumbing network. Instances of excess water pressure should be addressed as well, according to CSE Magazine.
The hard data collected by a water meter can also be used to set water-use benchmark for employees. Any maintenance and technology solutions to water waste can be enhanced by employees learning waste-conscious, water-saving habits.
Schedule plumbing maintenance
Simple leaks can become big problems if your building's plumbing system falls into disrepair. The United States Geological Survey reveals that a single faucet leak can generate thousands of gallons of water waste each year. Numerous leaks to water fixtures and piping within the infrastructure of your building can easily magnify the cost of your monthly water bill. Even worse, missed leaks can contribute to water damage behind the walls of your workplace. Regular maintenance to your building's plumbing is a significantly cheaper solution.
Upgrade building appliances
A small investment into water-saving technology is another sure-fire method for cutting water waste in your building. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends upgrading commercial water heaters as a strategy for reducing water usage, as the appliances can contribute up to 15 percent of a building's total utility costs. Standard storage tank heaters spend energy to keep water heated at all times and waste resources as they transfer heated water in and out of the tank.
Tankless appliances address both of these efficiency threats by heating water instantly and consistently. Removing oversized storage tank heaters from your building removes an unnecessary leak risk from your plumbing system as well.