Water Conservation for Businesses, IGBA Summit 2012

By Elizabeth Doellman

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How to Save Water

• We are not currently in a water crisis in Illinois. However, at least 36 states are or will be facing water shortages by the end of 2013. Preventing future water shortages starts with conservation.

• A lot of the same things that you would do in your home to save water you would do in your business to save water. Check for and promptly fix leaks Ensure proper irrigation of landscaping Install water saving fixtures

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Irrigation

• Commercial and publicly owned landscaped areas in the United States use an average of 2.7 billion gallons a day which is twice the amount consumed by New York City.

• The biggest source of water waste in landscaping is improper irrigation. Irrigation systems should be setup to avoid overspray onto the road or

side walk

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Irrigation

• The irrigation should not be a fix it and forget it schedule. It should be adjusted to give less water when there is a lot of rain and more when there is less Adjust the settings at least monthly Over watering of lawns is very common Can prevent the grass from forming deep root

systems that would help them survive with less water.

Ensure that you have the correct type of grass for your environment

If you leave footprints when you walk across the grass it needs watering.

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Irrigation

• Watering in the Early morning means that you will lose less water to evaporation and it will be better able to soak into the ground. When you water in the afternoons you can lose up to 30% of the water

you irrigate with to evaporation. Drip irrigation works the best

because it allows the soil and plants time to absorb the water and less is available for evaporation.

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Landscaping

• Another part of water savings outdoors is correct landscaping

• Use native plants whenever possible They are adapted to the climate and will need less water They will also be hardier and more likely to survive conditions such as

droughts Also provide food for native wildlife and will cut down

on chemical treatments (fertilizer or herbicides) because they are already adapted.

• When landscaping put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. This will slow evaporation from around the plants and discourage weed growth.

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Leaks

• Leaks are another major source of water waste.

• A slow drip from a faucet can waste 20 gallons a day and a pinhole size faucet leak wastes 100 gallons in 24 hours.

• If you find a leak fix it promptly

• Don’t forget to check for leaks outside as well If you have standing water or wet spots in your lawn when

it hasn’t rained for several days you probably have a leak. An irrigation system that has a leak 1/32nd of an inch in

diameter can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month and can be hard to detect.

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Toilet Leaks

• 50% of the water we use is used in the bathroom• These means that it is an important place to check for leaks• A constantly running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of

water per day. • One of the most common types of leaks that

doesn’t get noticed is a leak in the toilet bowl (can cause a constantly running toilet). This leak occurs when the tank leaks into the bowl

of the toilet. Easy to find by putting blue dye in the tank and

checking to see if it leaks into the bowl.

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Water Saving Fixtures

• Can cost more to install but will pay for themselves in water savings later. Are cheap option such as low flow aerators for faucets

• Can look for products with a Water Sense label to ensure that what you are getting is water efficient. Water Sense is a Federal Environmental Protection Agency’s initiative used to

promote water efficient products. The Water Sense label appears on products that are water efficient such as

faucets, toilets, irrigation controllers, etc. Can also find water efficient products without the Water Sense label

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Other Benefits

• Saving water doesn’t just save water, it saves energy to. Less water used means less energy is needed to treat the water and

less energy is used to heat hot water in your home.

• Helps create a more long term water source• Reduces your monthly bill• Excellent PR opportunity

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Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Water Efficiency

• www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/program/waterefficiency.html• FEMP provides services, tools, and expertise to Federal

agencies to help them achieve their legislated and executive-ordered energy, greenhouse gas, and water goals. These are delivered through project, technical, and program services.

• Also provide many tips for commercial business on how to conserve more water.

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EPA Water Sense

• www.epa.gov/watersense• Federal Environmental Protection Agency’s website• WaterSense helps people save water with a product label and

tips for saving water. Products carrying the Water Sense label perform well, help save money, and encourage innovation in manufacturing.

• WaterSense partners with manufacturers, retailers and distributors, and utilities to bring Water Sense labeled products to the marketplace and make it easy to purchase high-performing, water-efficient products. WaterSense also partners with irrigation professionals and irrigation certification programs to promote water-efficient landscape irrigation practices.

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Alliance for Water Efficiency

• www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org• The Alliance for Water Efficiency is a stakeholder-based

501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the efficient and sustainable use of water.  Located in Chicago, the Alliance serves as a North American advocate for water efficient products and programs, and provides information and assistance on water conservation efforts.