As global warming and climate change become more and more of a prevalent issue, companies would do well to be aware of their water footprint and to find ways to reduce it.
Seeing water conservation at work doesn’t only endear companies to customers and clients, but over half of all of the water available for human use is consumed by businesses and organisations, meaning it can also contribute to a huge reduction in water usage and wastage globally.
After all, working more efficiently and reducing a company’s water footprint doesn’t just have an effect on the environment, it improves a company’s bottom line too.
But how can you go about this?
We’ve put together some water-saving tips for the workplace, so let’s jump right in:
Water-Saving Tips at Work
To effectively lower a company’s water footprint, it needs to be a commitment that is taken seriously on an executive level. Individual steps by workers all help, but are never going to completely transform office water consumption in a way that’s comparable to implementing a completely new water control system from the top down.
Let’s take a look at how businesses can achieve this:
Identify Problem Areas & Ideal Targets Around Water Consumption
It’s a great idea to do this first, because, in order to improve your company’s water use, you need to have something to aim for. Targets can be as simple as reducing your water bills or reducing your risk around water scarcity. What should definitely be a part of your end goal here, is to build a culture of environmental protection and sustainable use within your workforce. This will help to increase the benefits of the following steps while also decreasing your water use as a matter of course.
Measure Your Usage & Analyse Your Setup
Just like with employee engagement, revenue, or any other corporate issue, you can’t improve something if you can’t measure it. Measuring your water usage, analysing your water flow control system, and setting up realistic, achievable targets will get you off to a great start.
A good solution for organisations with large buildings is to install multiple meters around the site to figure out which areas use more than others.
You can even pay for an entire water audit if you would rather this work be outsourced.
Analyse Your Findings
Once you’ve measured your usage and setup, it’s probably a good idea to compare these to industry benchmarks to work out whether you are lacking in any specific areas.
This is also your chance to assess the team or company that manages your water flow systems.
The same should be done for the plumbing equipment - if any drains, sinks, taps or irrigation systems are old and worn or damaged, it’s time to replace them.
Make A Difference!
Now that you’ve done all the analytical and investigative work, it’s time to put what you’ve learned into action and directly reduce your workplace’s water usage.
Some of these steps can be implemented very quickly and at little expense and can make a huge difference. Potential steps to take include:
- For outdoor landscaping, use native plants or ones with low water requirements to lessen your irrigation needs
- Consider replacing toilets with modern, environmentally-friendly models.
- Taps in kitchens and bathrooms should have flow restrictors fitted
- For larger organisations who are capable of more involved and expensive strategies, the most sustainable method is to reclaim wastewater for certain (non-drinking water) uses such as for air-con and irrigation.
Take a Proactive Approach Moving Forward
Now that you’ve achieved all of the above, the key is to not lose your momentum and let your water efficiency start to decrease again.
You should regularly measure how you’re performing compared to the initial targets you set, keep monitoring usage, and do everything you can to keep employees engaged in the matter of water consumption as well as other relevant matters like recycling.
In order to stay ahead of the curve, you’ll need to keep optimising your systems and coming up with new water-saving strategies, but the rewards are huge.
Or...Work With phs
phs is the UK’s leading provider of water control services, washroom hygiene and other related services.
We can work to increase your organisation’s efficiency and reduce your water consumption while freeing up your time and resources to focus on running your business.
Our staff are experienced, self-sufficient and non-invasive, carrying out work in your building without you or your visitors noticing.
We have operations centres all over the UK, meaning we’re your local water management service team, no matter where you are!
Get in touch now to save water, reduce costs, and help save the environment!
