Earth may well be often referred to as ‘the blue planet’, with nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface being covered in water. Ninety-seven per cent of this water, however, is salt water, leaving us with just 3 per cent of fresh and consumable water. What’s more, of this 3 per cent only 1 per cent is available as drinking water. We must all be conscious of our obligation to help conserve the delicate balance in our water table, and this article gives tips on five key areas your business can consider when it comes to conservation.
1. Ask for an Audit
Professional water audits are in-depth examinations on the quantity of water used by your company, and how you could reduce your consumption. These types of audits can also identify possible equipment failures and leaks which are costing you money. Introducing an audit can be a good first step to take, as it provides useful information that can prove extremely beneficial at the planning stage, and can help you formulate an effective plan tailored to your business.
2. Create your ‘Green Team’
Engage staff in your green initiatives, encourage them to make small personal changes in water usage and ultimately, stimulate a more conscientious mindset with regards to water consumption. Generating an environment where staff can share their ideas for similar green initiatives is also an excellent way to improve morale and encourage creativity.
3. A More Self-Sustaining Landscape
Many such lists highlight how businesses with landscaped exteriors often have areas of green lawn. This type of garden can prove high maintenance to keep it looking presentable. We recommend using alternative options such as artificial grass, or more drought-resistant plants that require less water. Another way to optimise your outside space is to install rainwater tanks.
4. Taps and Efficient Equipment
Installing more water-efficient taps with an aerator or flow restrictor can result in significantly less water usage. An aerator can reduce a tap’s flow from 2.2 gallons per minute to 1.5 per minute. There are also similar options in other areas. For example, a modern toilet uses up to 3 gallons less than a more dated system, and it is possible to fit shower heads which use up to 40 per cent less water. The installation of modern equipment may seem like an unnecessary cost, but in the long term, they result in a saving on energy costs and help with sustainability.
5. An Efficient Water Pump
Grundfos (a reputable pump manufacturer) highlight how pumps ‘account for 10 per cent of the world’s total electricity consumption and up to 90 per cent of them are inefficient’. To rectify this, the installation of an energy-efficient pump can save up to 4 per cent in electrical energy and 2 billion m3 of fresh water. A high-quality water pump from online retailers like Complete Pump Supplies is another way of increasing your business’ water efficiency — something that will simultaneously help conserve our strained water supply, and save you money.
If you have any recommendations on how to conserve water, please do leave some in the comments section below!
