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Facility owners and operators looking for tips on environmentally responsible water management in commercial buildings turn to conservation experts for ideas. If you are one of these building managers, this information will help you improve water efficiency in Green Buildings and develop a better water management plan.
As of 2020, just under three-fourths (74%) of the world's population have access to clean drinking water. That leaves an alarming number of people without adequate supplies of this precious and rapidly depleting natural resource.
With so many different water needs for commercial buildings, any facility with plumbing can find opportunities to shrink its water footprint. You can do this with effective commercial water management.
Key Takeaways:
- Technology is one of the key factors driving growth in the water management market for commercial buildings. Improve operations with real-time water-usage data.
- Better water management for your commercial building includes developing a strategy and implementing water-saving practices throughout your facility.
- Assess water-intensive equipment for possible replacement, evaluate fixtures, and upgrade faucets in kitchens, restrooms, washrooms, and locker rooms.
- Find ways to collect and reuse water when possible. Recover cooling tower condensation, harvest rainwater, and treat wastewater for non-potable use.
Technology and Commercial Water Management
Building owners and operators are using smart building management to help them improve their water management strategies in their commercial structures. Smart water management involves the use of technology to improve water conservation.
Here are the ways these technologies affect change to improve operations:
- Superior leak detection: Find the leaks quicker with sensor technology that detects water flowing throughout the line. Whether the leak is in the fixture itself or somewhere in the piping, these technologies will alert you when there's a leak.
- Better tenant accountability: Water management technology allows you to pinpoint usage and charge tenants appropriately for usage. You can also see who isn't practicing water conservation and hold them accountable accordingly.
- Lower insurance rates: Water management technologies improve operations and reduce risks. For instance, if there is a leak, it is detected early before more damage can occur. Less damage means lower repair and restoration costs. It all equates to lower premiums.
- Increased Green Building credentials: Earn points toward Green Building accreditations and certifications. Earn Green Building accreditation with sustainable water management practices.
A few factors inhibit the adoption of new water management technologies. Cost is the most prominent, as the high costs associated with these advancements can be difficult for some building owners to afford.
Consider whether the investment will be worth it in the long run before investing in a water-conservations technology system.
Another factor inhibiting adoption is the lack of consumer awareness. Many are unaware that these technologies are available.
Did you know you can program a touchless faucet to supply water with a metering function? That's right. You can purchase a touchless faucet with programmable metering features.
5 Tips for Better Water Management in Commercial Buildings
The average commercial building uses billions of gallons of water per day. The exact volume depends on the industry or sector for which that building operates. The chart below breaks it down for you, categorized by the five leading commercial building types:
- Hospital/medical
- Offices
- Schools
- Restaurants/Foodservice facilities
- Hospitality
Regardless of commercial building type, there are things that every commercial building can do as part of its sustainable water management plan. Here are some tips for implementing an eco-conscious water management plan in your commercial building.
1. Implement Water Saving Practices
Commercial water management should entail water-saving strategies and best practices to ensure everyone does their part to conserve water. First, you must understand the building's current water-using processes.
Develop a water management plan, including conducting a facility-wide water assessment. Help managers understand how much water the building uses, identify water-saving opportunities and prioritize water-saving goals.
2. Assess Water-Intensive Equipment
Equipment that isn't properly operating can waste a significant amount of water, depending on the issue. Eliminate water waste by assessing your water-intensive equipment for inefficiencies, leaks, and damage.
Some fixtures meant to conserve water might be using more water than necessary. For instance, if your commercial kitchen uses a pre-rinse valve that isn't a high-efficiency model, you will need to retrofit that fixture with one that is.
3. Upgrade Faucets and Fixtures
Restroom fixtures (along with laundry) account for 50% of the total water a commercial building uses. Upgrading outdated fixtures will improve efficiency and reduce energy costs.
Plumbing products containing the WaterSense label use 20% less water than standard fixtures. You can find the WaterSense label on faucets, toilets, urinal systems, and showerheads.
4. Collect Cooling System Condensation
HVAC systems have cooling towers that remove heat from the building A/C unit. It does this by evaporating condenser water.
These units can use a significant amount of water throughout the process. However, there are methods for collecting this water for use elsewhere on-site for non-potable water.
Residential buildings can also benefit from collecting A/C condensation. Many homeowners will use this water for irrigation, cleaning, and other landscaping needs that require water.
5. Identify Other Water-Reuse Opportunities
Besides cooling tower condensation recovery, there are other water reuse resources available throughout your commercial buildings, including:
- Water reclamation systems
- Rainwater harvesting tanks
- Landscaping runoff and return flows
- Wastewater treatment and recycling
The chart below shows how commercial building owners, homeowners, municipalities, and private industries use and reuse water. Identify which water-reuse opportunity will be most beneficial and cost-effective for the type of building you own or operate.
How to Incorporate Sustainable Fixtures in Commercial Water Management
Inefficient fixtures will not help you conserve natural resources like water and energy. If you are serious about implementing an environmentally responsible water management plan in your commercial building, you'll need a sustainability partner.
At Chicago Faucets, we make durable, sustainable plumbing products that you can trust. We partner with the EPA in the WaterSense program and are proud U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) members. Our focus is the environment, our customers, and our corporate responsibility.
Choose environmentally responsible fixtures for commercial buildings. Contact us today to learn more about our eco-friendly faucets.
