A water audit analyzes a facility’s water use and identifies ways to make it more efficient. An audit reviews domestic, sanitary, landscaping, and process-water use and recommends ways to increase your facility’s water-use efficiency. An audit is often free of charge and can save your team money on avoided water use costs.
Consider contacting a performance contractor to increase the efficiency of your team’s water use. Performance contractors will conduct audits of existing water use and finance water efficiency improvements in exchange for a share of cost savings. For a list of water conservation contractors, visit the American Water Works Association’s Guide to Suppliers. Contractors can be found under “conservation”. Many of these companies operate nationally.
To conduct your own water audit, consult the American Water Works Association’s free water audit software.
For more information about water conservation in Chicago, visit Conserve Chicago.
For detailed information on water audits and water efficiency, see New Mexico’s Water Conservation Guide for Commercial, Institutional and Industrial Users.
Visit the EPA’s Guide to Water Conservation Programs for additional water conservation opportunities in your state.
Case Studies in Efficient Water Management – A collection of corporate water efficiency improvements and cost savings from the state of California.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey at La Guardia Airport is upgrading its restroom facilities to increase the water-use efficiency of toilets, faucets, and showers. It installed a leak detection system, ultra –low flow toilets, high efficiency aerators for faucets, and flow restrictors on showerheads. These improvements have yielded annual water savings of almost $160,000, compared with an initial capital cost of only $90,000. Case Study
Unilever, which produces over 400 brands of home, personal care, and food products, performed a water audit of a laundry detergent factory in Georgia in 1995 and then embarked upon a program of increased efficiency efforts, including rainwater collection, wastewater reuse, and educating employees on the economic and environmental importance of water conservation. These improvements save the company over $100,000 a year. Case Study
Every year, almost half the world’s population lives without a steady supply of clean drinking water. In the United States, many sources of freshwater are being depleted faster than they can be recharged by natural processes. Water conservation is especially important in light of the looming pressures of global warming, which threaten to significantly increase evaporation as well as instances of severe drought. Water conservation measures can help to ensure that future generations have access to the water they need.
EPA – Using Water Efficiently: Tips for businesses
EPA – Water Efficiency Programs by State