How to Save Water in the Workplace

The price of water has been rising and is likely to continue to do so. According to the Circle of Blue website, the cost of water in 30 major U. S. cities rose an average of 9 percent from 2010 to 2011. For a business, this makes saving water more than a matter of environmental awareness. Depending on the size of your business and the prices in your area, water conservation can mean saving hundreds and perhaps thousands of dollars each year.


A good first step to save water in the workplace is to perform a detailed inspection of faucets, toilets and any other equipment that uses water. Look for drips and leaks and make any repairs that are needed. Set up a regular inspection and maintenance program. If your business’s water facilities are complex, as in a restaurant or manufacturing plant, consider contracting with a plumbing service to carry out the inspections.

Update Equipment

Replacing old or inefficient equipment can save a lot of water. Installing aerators on faucets can reduce water usage by half. Low-flow toilets are another example of a newer technology that saves water. Replacing a traditional water heater with an “on-demand” heater not only cuts water use -- because you don't run the water waiting for it to heat up -- but it can also save on energy costs. If your business uses appliances such as clothes washers, replace them with water- and energy-efficient models. An easy way to identify efficient appliances is to look for a WaterSense or EnergyStar seal.

Modify Procedures

Look for procedures you can improve as part of your overall assessment of water consumption. For example, monitor weather conditions and water only when plants and grass actually need water and rain is not predicted. This may reduce landscaping expenses as well, since overwatering can hurt grass and vegetation. If your business uses water as part of manufacturing operations, investigate options for capturing and recycling used water. Certain jurisdictions are more friendly to gray-water use than others, so be sure you understand the laws in your area.

Involve Employees

Draft a water-use policy and distribute it to your employees. As part of making them aware of the need to conserve water, ask for suggestions. Employees are often the first to notice a leak or drip, so set up a system for reporting problems. Another way to raise employee awareness is to sponsor a community water conservation project and invite a representative to come and speak to employees and offer suggestions for saving water.