Water is probably our most valuable natural resource, but did you know that the average wastage of water per person is over 1,000 litres a week? Scaling this up to your business could mean that thousands of litres of water could be being wasted.
Reducing water usage in the workplace benefits both the environment and your business’s bottom line. Smart water use conserves this vital and limited resource, protects the ecosystem around your business, reduces the strain on water treatment and sewage infrastructure, and cuts down on your energy use and utility costs.
How can your businesses conserve water?
- Look at your plumbing equipment. Low-flow, high-efficiency toilets and energy-efficient dishwashers address two of the biggest water consumption appliances in the average business. If you can’t afford to replace the ones you have here are two quick fixes.
- Place a cistern displacement device in your toilet cistern to reduce the volume of water used in each flush. You can get one of these from your water provider and they can save up to 5000 litres of water per year
- Always use full loads in your dishwasher – this cuts out unnecessary washes in between.
- Install low-flow taps in bathrooms, kitchens and break areas. Users of these fixtures usually don’t need full, high-pressure water flow for washing hands and rinsing dishes.
Automatic sensor taps – are a great way of employees only using the water they need. - Fix a dripping tap – A dripping tap can waste 15 litres of water a day, or 5,500 litres of water a year.
- Engage and inform employees – one of the best ways to save water at work is to get staff involved. The little things that other people do every day can have the greatest impact. For instance, office signs to conserve water are a helpful reminder and can support water saving habits among your employees.
- Install a water butt to your drainpipe and use it to water your plants and wash your windows. A water butt can collect around 5,000 litres a year.
- Install a water meter. When you’re paying your utility provider for exactly how much water you use, laid out in an itemised bill, there’s an incentive to waste less of the stuff.Check your meters at night – if you do have a water meter already check your meters at night or when no water is being used to monitor leakage.
- Schedule a water audit for your business – You may wish to invest in a comprehensive water audit. If yours is a water-intensive business, this kind of comprehensive analysis can uncover how to reduce water usage in the workplace, from office space to manufacturing facilities to landscaping. You’ll get a complete view of how much water you’re using and where waste might be happening, as well as get detailed recommendations for conserving water.
If you need further help and ideas to conserve water in your business, why not join the Sustainable Wedding Alliance share ideas and best practice with our community and get advice from industry experts.
