For Businesses

Water Conservation—Good Business Sense

The rising costs of water, wastewater treatment, and the energy used to heat water all play major roles in our continuing use of this precious resource. More importantly, an endless supply of water is never a guarantee. In an age where business may be seen as an excessive user of water supplies, a successful water conservation program can demonstrate to the public your willingness to become an active community partner in environmental responsibility.

Save money. Water-efficient technologies can be cost-effective; they pay for themselves and deliver lasting cost savings. Conservation can help cut costs in the following areas:

• Water procurement
• Wastewater processing
• Environmental Fees
• Pretreatment processing
• Chemicals needed
• Energy to heat transport or process
• Maintenance

Keep Rates Low
Maximizing the life of our current water supplies helps defer the need to develop new, more expensive sources of water and water treatment facilities and therefore helps keep water rates from increasing.  Preserve this resource for the benefit of all.

All water users must help conserve our water resources. It is simply a matter of doing something for the common good and projects a good public image for your company.

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Do You Know a "Water Warrior?"

The City wants to recognize business and community leaders who have made the greatest strides in the area of water conservation. If you know, work with or work for a business, government agency or larger water user that sets a good example with conservation practices nominate them today!

How Can Your Business use Water Wisely?

Water conservation not only saves you money by using less water, but it saves energy too, energy needed to heat water and run equipment. Looking for ways to cut down on your business water use? Try these tips for your business:

Increase Employee Awareness

• Put up signs encouraging water conservation in kitchens, locker and restrooms.
• Assign an employee to determine and monitor the overall quantity and purpose of water use and to identify water waste. Develop a mission statement and a plan. 
• Offer incentives to employees whose suggestions to save water also save money. Brainstorm other methods to conserve water.
• Inform your chemical suppliers or service contractors (cooling tower, laundry, dishwasher, landscaping) that water efficiency is a priority.

Adopt Water-Saving Maintenance and Equipment

• Set attainable goals for water use reductions. Read water meters weekly to monitor success of your water conservation efforts and let employees know how they're doing.
• Use water-efficient plumbing fixtures, appliances and other equipment.
• Use a broom, rather than a hose, to clear sidewalks, driveways, loading docks and parking lots.
• Check your water supply system for leaks. Repair dripping faucets and toilets that run continuously or leak.
• Keep equipment calibrated and operating properly.
• Attend workshops on water saving technologies

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Adjust Equipment to Use Less Water

• Discontinue use of continuous flows and reduce other intermittent discharges of water.
• Install water saving devices to decrease consumption, such as toilet dams, flappers, flow reduction valves; faucet aerators; and cooling system devices.
• Use water recycling systems for chillers and cooling towers.
• Consider installing energy- and water-efficient air conditioning equipment.
• Identify discharges that may be re-used, and implement re-use practices

Some Discharges with Potential for Re-use are:

• Bottle and can soak and rinse water
• Cooler flush water, filter backwash
• Pasteurizer and sterilizer water
• Final rinses in wash cycles, tank cleaning, keg washers, fermenters
• Refrigeration equipment defrost
• Equipment cleaning
• Floor and gutter wash

Design and Maintain Landscapes for Efficiency

• Hire a landscape manager or service experienced in water-efficient landscaping concepts.
• A hearty rain can eliminate the need for watering – install a rain sensor that shuts down automatic irrigation systems when it rains. Make monthly (or even better – weekly!) adjustments to your irrigation controller to account for weather changes.
• Set irrigation systems to water in the early morning or in the evening, when temperatures are cooler and water isn't lost to evaporation.
• Consider using low-volume irrigation, such as a drip irrigation system. It is a good alternative for flowerbeds and shrubs that applies water directly to the roots, which significantly reduces evaporation.
• Limit or exclude water demanding turf areas to where they are actually necessary, such as picnic areas, playgrounds and sports fields. Use low water turfs and native or regionally adapted plants in other areas.
• Design watering systems with dual lines to irrigate turf separately from trees, shrubs and perennials, which require less water.
• Investigate the availability of reclaimed water for irrigation and other approved uses.

High Efficiency Toilet Direct Install Program

The City's Water Conservation Program has launched a direct install program of high efficiency toilets for commercial, industrial, and institutional customers.

Plumbing Contractors, click here for information.

Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Customers, click here for information.

Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional customers:  The program is currently establishing a list of qualified plumbing contractors. Please check back for details, or call 209-937-8041 for more information.