A consistent trend in water consumption has emerged in the past 40 years. A report by the U.S. Geological Survey examining U.S. water use trends from 1950 to 2015 revealed that the nation’s water use had reached its peak in 1980 and has remained relatively stable since then.
Despite this consistency, the report determined a need arose for ongoing water monitoring, enhanced water efficiency, and plans to increase water conservation—in other words, a
comprehensive water management program.
Commercial facilities working toward more sustainable water use must begin the process with a collective commitment to water conservation and water efficiency from everyone working in the
organization. Water efficiency refers to long-term water reduction and is typically accomplished by installing more advanced water-saving technologies.
This commitment has a ripple effect beyond water-use reduction. It fosters a sustainability-focused corporate culture, which frequently leads to broader operational efficiencies and cost
reductions.
Conduct an audit
The next step in reducing water consumption is more involved: conducting a water audit. Essentially, a water audit measures water consumption throughout a facility and then identifies water-saving opportunities. While it can be conducted in-house, it is often best to call in professionals, especially for a larger facility.
A water audit entails:
- Determining the scope of the water audit— identifying areas of the facility that will be analyzed and those that will not.
- Collecting water usage data, typically determined using past water utility bills. At least two years of utility bills are needed to create a reliable benchmark.
- Analyzing the data looking for patterns and trends. If multiple sub-water meters have been installed, these will further break down the analysis and indicate more specifically where and how much water is being used.
- Identifying water-saving opportunities.
- Creating a water-management plan of action to implement the changes called for in the audit.
Water audits are never a “one and done” process. You must repeat the audit every two or three years, as mechanicals in cooling towers, boilers, and other water-using devices may start using more water than when they were initially installed. This increased water use is a red flag that problems may be right around the corner.
Take a four-bucket approach
A thorough water audit will identify steps facilities can take to reduce water consumption. A four-bucket approach can help you complete necessary tasks in the correct order.
The “needs to be done now” bucket is filled with your facility’s highest priorities. For example, when a water audit at a large facility finds evidence of a gradual water consumption increase, which becomes more significant over time, a water leak is often the cause. Fixing leaks, particularly significant ones, is a top priority and must be addressed immediately.
The second bucket is reserved for “low-cost/ low-hanging fruit” issues which can be corrected relatively quickly and at low expense. Address these issues within six months of the water audit.
The third bucket includes items that may take more time to address and be more costly. Sometimes they are part of a larger building project. For instance, when building owners/managers renovate restrooms, they often find that is the most cost-effective time to consider switching to low-flow and no-flow restroom fixtures.
Bucket four is for big-ticket items. For example, chillers on top of a building should last about 10 years if they are properly maintained. Replacing them every seven to 10 years ensures that they
will not end up in bucket one, which is typically reserved for emergencies. Emergency purchases are usually more costly than planned water and facility updates. Adapt water-saving technologies
Once you have completed your water audit and divided your action plan into four buckets, the next step is to familiarize yourself with technologies that use water more efficiently.
Consider the following:
- Low-flow/no-flow restroom fixtures: There’s no way of getting around it; in most facilities, more water is used in restrooms than in any other area—making water-efficient fixtures, or fixtures that use no water at all, essential. More advanced toilets use about 1.3 gallons of water per flush, which is far less than the federally required maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush. Further, more states are following Arizona’s example and requiring the installation of no-water urinals in new construction and retrofits to save water and reduce installation costs.
- Sensor-controlled fixtures: After a rocky start, sensor-controlled fixtures are now considered dependable. They activate faucets, toilets, and water-using urinals only when needed, helping to reduce water waste considerably.
- Recycling systems: The idea behind water recycling, also known as water reclamation, is simply getting the most out of water by recycling and reusing it. Most building owners/managers think in terms of clear, potable water being brought into the facility with black water going out. In the middle is gray water coming from water fountains, restroom sinks, or showers. This water is not sanitary, but it is not toxic either. This means it can be treated and used for other purposes. Water recycling systems have been available for years, but are becoming more
commonplace today as costs and installation charges have come down. - Submetering systems: If water consumption increases unexpectedly, submetering systems allow building owners/managers to find the problem quickly and take appropriate actions
to address it. Install these systems in new construction as well as retrofits. - Smart irrigation systems: These systems can monitor soil moisture levels and adjust watering schedules using real-time data, avoiding unnecessary watering, or watering during a rainfall event. This is not a new technology, but one that is becoming increasingly valuable.
- Leak detectors: View leak detectors as water alert systems. They typically comprise sensors and alarm monitoring platforms that you can connect to automatic shut-off valves. If a leak is detected, the detectors alert administrators in real time. These systems are becoming a must-have in most buildings.
Realize the long-term benefits
Many benefits arise when reducing water consumption in facilities. Water savings translate to both expected and unexpected cost savings. For instance, reducing water consumption is linked to
energy savings. The less water consumed, the less energy is necessary to deliver and remove water.
Water management helps organizations meet sustainability goals. For those seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, reducing water consumption is given much higher priority in the proposed LEED version 5 than in previous versions.
A pro-active water management plan demonstrates a facility’s commitment to sustainability. Consumers, as well as businesses, prefer working with organizations that make protecting the environment a priority.
