Water Conservation for Businesses, IGBA Summit 2012

1. Water Conservation for Businesses, IGBA Summit 2012 By Elizabeth Doellman

2. How to Save Water • We are not currently in a water crisis in Illinois. However, at least 36 states are or will be facing water shortages by the end of 2013. Preventing future water shortages starts with conservation. • A lot of the same things that you would do in your home to save water you would do in your business to save water. • Check for and promptly fix leaks • Ensure proper irrigation of landscaping • Install water saving fixtures

3. Irrigation • Commercial and publicly owned landscaped areas in the United States use an average of 2.7 billion gallons a day which is twice the amount consumed by New York City. • The biggest source of water waste in landscaping is improper irrigation. • Irrigation systems should be setup to avoid overspray onto the road or side walk

4. Irrigation • The irrigation should not be a fix it and forget it schedule. It should be adjusted to give less water when there is a lot of rain and more when there is less • Adjust the settings at least monthly • Over watering of lawns is very common • Can prevent the grass from forming deep root systems that would help them survive with less water. • Ensure that you have the correct type of grass for your environment • If you leave footprints when you walk across the grass it needs watering.

5. Irrigation • Watering in the Early morning means that you will lose less water to evaporation and it will be better able to soak into the ground. • When you water in the afternoons you can lose up to 30% of the water you irrigate with to evaporation. • Drip irrigation works the best because it allows the soil and plants time to absorb the water and less is available for evaporation.

6. Landscaping • Another part of water savings outdoors is correct landscaping • Use native plants whenever possible • They are adapted to the climate and will need less water • They will also be hardier and more likely to survive conditions such as droughts • Also provide food for native wildlife and will cut down on chemical treatments (fertilizer or herbicides) because they are already adapted. • When landscaping put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. This will slow evaporation from around the plants and discourage weed growth.

7. Leaks • Leaks are another major source of water waste. • A slow drip from a faucet can waste 20 gallons a day and a pinhole size faucet leak wastes 100 gallons in 24 hours. • If you find a leak fix it promptly • Don’t forget to check for leaks outside as well • If you have standing water or wet spots in your lawn when it hasn’t rained for several days you probably have a leak. • An irrigation system that has a leak 1/32nd of an inch in diameter can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month and can be hard to detect.

8. Toilet Leaks • 50% of the water we use is used in the bathroom • These means that it is an important place to check for leaks • A constantly running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. • One of the most common types of leaks that doesn’t get noticed is a leak in the toilet bowl (can cause a constantly running toilet). • This leak occurs when the tank leaks into the bowl of the toilet. • Easy to find by putting blue dye in the tank and checking to see if it leaks into the bowl.

9. Water Saving Fixtures • Can cost more to install but will pay for themselves in water savings later. • Are cheap option such as low flow aerators for faucets • Can look for products with a Water Sense label to ensure that what you are getting is water efficient. • Water Sense is a Federal Environmental Protection Agency’s initiative used to promote water efficient products. • The Water Sense label appears on products that are water efficient such as faucets, toilets, irrigation controllers, etc. • Can also find water efficient products without the Water Sense label

10. Other Benefits • Saving water doesn’t just save water, it saves energy to. • Less water used means less energy is needed to treat the water and less energy is used to heat hot water in your home. • Helps create a more long term water source • Reduces your monthly bill • Excellent PR opportunity

11. Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Water Efficiency • www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/program/waterefficiency.html • FEMP provides services, tools, and expertise to Federal agencies to help them achieve their legislated and executive-ordered energy, greenhouse gas, and water goals. These are delivered through project, technical, and program services. • Also provide many tips for commercial business on how to conserve more water.

12. EPA Water Sense • www.epa.gov/watersense • Federal Environmental Protection Agency’s website • WaterSense helps people save water with a product label and tips for saving water. Products carrying the Water Sense label perform well, help save money, and encourage innovation in manufacturing. • WaterSense partners with manufacturers, retailers and distributors, and utilities to bring Water Sense labeled products to the marketplace and make it easy to purchase high-performing, water-efficient products. WaterSense also partners with irrigation professionals and irrigation certification programs to promote water-efficient landscape irrigation practices.

13. Alliance for Water Efficiency • www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org • The Alliance for Water Efficiency is a stakeholder-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the efficient and sustainable use of water.  Located in Chicago, the Alliance serves as a North American advocate for water efficient products and programs, and provides information and assistance on water conservation efforts.