Commercial Water Conservation
Conserving water at home and at work is critical in Colorado's semi-arid climate. Commercial water use accounts for 37% of Greeley's total water consumption. Using water-conserving measures will save your business money in water, wastewater and energy bills. Using water wise techniques will not change the quality of service your business or institution provides, but it will make you more efficient.
Free water conservation audits are available to all commercial, industrial, multi-family and institutional properties in Greeley. The purpose of an assessment is to provide information about water use and efficiency. The commercial assessment finds areas of water waste and develops targets for improvement. Once problem areas are located, Greeley 's Conservation Program will help businesses implement efficiency improvements by offering technical support and rebates. If your business would like to participate in a commercial water conservation assessment, call 970-336-4227 to make an appointment.
On commercial accounts consumption that correlates with business patterns is difficult to measure; however, Greeley 's Water Conservation Program has been able to document some success for rebates and irrigation audits of commercial properties. For example a restaurant may have installed an air cooled ice machine, but because their business has served more customers, consumption may have increased, although the gallon per meal has been reduced. Likewise, if it is a new install, there may be no pre-installation consumption data. Below is some information on projects that have saved water.
Greeley collaborated with other northern Colorado water providers to create resources and tools to assist industrial, commercial, and institutional customers with water conservation. Visit the Northern Colorado Collaborative Efforts in ICI Water Conservation website to get more information.
- A large toilet replacement project at a University of Northern Colorado student housing facility saves an average of 114,000 gallons per month.
- In 2007, City Hall, City Hall annex and A Street buildings were retrofitted with low-flow toilets. The combined savings for these three facilities are on average 300,000 gallons of water per year.
- Indoor commercial rebate customers have saved an average of 2,700 gallons of water per month.
- Eighty-five commercial properties received irrigation audits in 2007-2008. These properties averaged an increased efficiency of 16%.
- Island Grove Village is an apartment complex with 108 units in a low income area in Greeley . Toilets and appliances were upgraded to high-efficiency in 2004. When compared to indoor 2002 use, the facility saves an average of 53% per year.
- Some commercial and industrial customers receive an annual allotment of water based on tap size. When annual usage exceeds a user's allotment, a raw water surcharge is assessed. When a customer receives a surcharge the water conservation program works with these customers to move them off the surcharge list. Since the program began, 43% of surcharge customers got off the list with help from Greeley 's water conservation programs.
If you have any questions or would like to share your water conserving ideas, please contact the Water Conservation Program. Please tell us if you use or plan to use any of these tips in your facility. You can reach us by phone (970) 350-9204 or via e-mail .
Additional Information
Commercial Water Rebate Program
Cross-Connection Control Program
Large Property Irrigation Permit