Many office based businesses are unaware of their water consumption, even when they have a meter installed. With a minimal investment of time and money, Envirowise estimates that adopting a systematic approach to reducing water use could cut usage by up to 30%. Cutting the use of water can also result in significant financial savings. Your waste water disposal costs may end up lower too.
Paying more attention to your business' water use can also help to improve your ever prevalent environmental credentials, helping your relationship with customers, staff and the local community.
Getting started
First of all, it's important to establish a baseline of what water you are currently using, highlighting ways to achieve immediate reductions in water use. You can use the Energy Saving Trust's water energy calculator to see how much you're using.
The first things to consider when looking to save water include:
monitoring the system for leaks or for dripping taps
checking of meters at night (a sign of usage can reveal leaks)
using heating and cooling systems only when needed
water efficiency of products when buying new equipment
ensuring cold and hot water pipes are well lagged
only using washers when fully loaded
educating staff on the importance of saving water
setting of water usage targets
if you can re-use any water
You may find that replacing older equipment will achieve cost savings in the longer term, as well as an environmental benefit. Keeping an eye on water meters and bills will soon show a difference.
Going further
If you are keen to go further, there are other changes your organisation can make. Most are focused around the washroom and kitchen, where the use of water is high, be it through taps, showers or toilets. In some cases, a lot of water is used to maintain gardens and rest areas. Below are examples of technology that can be used to save water:
Infrared Sensors
The installation of passive infrared sensors will detect when someone enters a washroom. The sensor controls a solenoid valve that allows a pre-set amount of water into the cistern. When the cistern is full, it will flush the urinal.
Sensors are also useful for taps. They can be used to activate and stop water flow when someone is washing their hands. It also has the additional benefit of being more hygenic.
Timers
Use of timers combined with the ball valve means you can stop flushing from taking place at night, stopping the use of unnecessary water. This is more reliable than a manual turn-off as it doesn't rely on someone remembering to shut off the cistern valve at the end of the day.
Dual Flushing
Popular in residential bathrooms, dual flushing gives the user a choice of two flush volumes and
can now be fitted to cisterns installed before 1999.
Tap Aerator
With a tap aerator, the design of the tap nozzle allows air to mix with water when exiting the tap, giving the appearance of an increased water flow. These devices are easy to retrofit to existing taps and can deliver similar savings as other techniques.
Push Taps
A push tap controls the amount of water used. It will automatically stop after a preset delay, normally up to 20 seconds.
Eco-Brake
This simple use of technology simply stops the user from using the full flow that the tap can provide by stopping the lever moving more than halfway.
Sprinkler Systems
Many offices have sprinkler systems for their garden areas. By
using a system that operates low to the ground, it reduces
losses from evaporation and the wind. It's also important not to
leave automatic systems unattended. If it's going to rain, they
don't need to be switched on!
Native Plants
You can reduce the need to water by up to 70% by using native shrubs and covering exposed soil with mulch, thereby retaining moisture.
Collect Rainwater
Collecting rainwater is one of the cheapest ways of saving water. Installing a water butt or tank that harvests rainwater from the roof and/or drainpipes is a fast and cheap way of reducing your business' overall bill.
Documenting your efforts
A systematic approach to the task of saving water is important. Otherwise, the programme may lose momentum. A documented policy can help motivate staff to help, making it easier to investigate ongoing savings.
If you have an Environmental Management System (EMS), or are intending to set one up, you should use this to manage your water use. To learn more about gaining a formal, certified EMS, you can read our dedicated page on ISO 14001 certification. Alternatively, set up a Water Usage Policy.
Saving money
The good news is that, by investing in technology that
reduces water consumption, you may be eligible for tax
allowances under the Enhanced
Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme.
Your water supplier may offer audits to see how efficient your
business’s water usage is. Some may even offer a personalised
water management package to get the best water efficiency plan
for your business.
The British Assessment Bureau's reputation was established in 1969 and we achieved pre-eminent status in 1997.
As well as providing certification to internationally recognised standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, we provide bespoke assessment services for people, services and organisations of all sizes.
For more information visit www.british-assessment.co.uk.
