This list gives some simple actions which can minimise the amount of water you use in your business.
- Don’t think of water use and disposal charges as fixed costs. Many companies can save up to 50% of their water costs through implementing simple and inexpensive water minimisation measures.
- Always measure and monitor the amount of water you use. Compare water use each year. Also compare water use against production output for manufacturing companies and against staff numbers for service sectors.
- Appoint a water monitor within your organisation to undertake periodic site walk-overs to identify water minimisation opportunities.
- Make sure staff are fully aware of the importance of water minimisation.
- Ensure pipes are well insulated to protect against frost damage.
- Investigate opportunities for re-using process water.
- Consider alternative water sources, eg rainwater use and greywater re-use.
- Keep water-using equipment well maintained and check it periodically for leaks. Ensure staff are encouraged to report leaks and that leaks are repaired quickly.
- When purchasing new equipment, take its water efficiency into account. It may be more expensive to buy water efficient equipment, but it may have a short payback period due to the water savings achieved.
- Fit water minimising controls where possible, eg push taps, flow regulator/restrictors, cistern displacement devices, spray nozzles on hoses, low flush toilets and sensor urinal flushing controls.
For more specific sector or water issue recommendations, go to Publication search and select a particular business sector or generic topic.
