Commercial Water Conservation
Conserving water at home and at work is critical in Colorado's semi-arid climate. Commercial water use accounts for 37 percent 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. These commercial water efficiency suggestions may be used in large or small: colleges, schools, hospitals, healthcare facilities, hotels, motels, manufacturers, offices, restaurants or other commercial facilities.
Free water conservation assessments 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, contact Ron Duvall at 970-336-4227 to make an appointment.
If you have any questions or would like to share your water conserving ideas, please contact the Water Conservation office. 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 .
Water Efficiency Tips for Commercial Properties
- Replace or retrofit plumbing fixtures to save up to 63 percent of water use. This includes toilets, urinals, showerheads and faucets.
- Detect and repair leaks in plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems.
- Educate employees about water efficiency. Ask about water conservation ideas and suggestions.
- Install signs that encourage water efficiency in restrooms or areas where water is used.
- Use efficient and reduced lawn watering as a cost-effective conservation measure.
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Saving Water in Commercial Bathrooms
Repair leaks! A leaking toilet can waste more than 50 gallons of water each day and a dripping faucet or showerhead can waste up to 1,000 gallons per week!
- Keep o-rings, washers, and gaskets on hand for quick fixes without an extra trip to the hardware store.
- Showerheads, faucets and toilets that must be replaced due to normal wear-and-tear should be replaced with low-volume models, which are widely available.
- Low-volume showerheads use only 2 gallons of water each minute; older models may use as much as 3 gallons per minute.
- Replace faucets that use as much as 2.5 gallons per minute with those which use only 1.5.
- In most cases, low-volume faucet aerators can be installed when the entire faucet does not need replacing.
- Replace toilets with low-volume models.
- Toilets can use as much as 4.5 gallons per flush, while low-volume toilets use only 1.6 gallons per flush.
- Replace urinals with waterless or low-volume models.
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Building Maintenance
- As equipment wears out, replace with water-saving models.
- Check the water supply system for leaks, and turn off unnecessary flows.
- Shut off the water supply to equipment and areas that are unused.
- Read water meters monthly. Compare the results to the same month of the previous year. This will help to identify leaks as they occur, as well as monitor your conservation efforts.
- Identify and fix leaks immediately. Leaks can cause a lot of damage as well as waste water.
- Check the pressure. Where system pressure is higher than 60 psi, install pressure-reducing valves.
- Reduce excessive blowdown! Many cooling towers operate below the suggested levels of total dissolved solids unnecessarily. Adjust boiler and cooling tower blowdown rate to maintain TDS at levels recommended by manufacturers' specifications.
- Consider using ozone as a cooling tower treatment to reduce water used for make-up.
- Shut off water-cooled air conditioning units when not needed (summer vacation), or replace water-cooled equipment with air-cooled systems.
- Instruct cleaning crews to use water efficiently for mopping.
- Switch from "wet" carpet cleaning methods, such as steam, to "dry," powder methods.
- Wash exterior windows with a bucket and squeegee rather than powerwashing.
- Change window cleaning schedule from "periodic" to "as required."
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Saving Water in Commercial Kitchens
Provide table signs urging water conservation. Restaurants in Greeley may contact the Water Conservation Program at 970-350-9204 or at water@greeleygov.com to request free water conservation table tents.
- Turn off the continuous flow used to wash the drain trays of the coffee/milk/soda/ice cream beverage island. Clean thoroughly as needed.
- Adjust ice machines to dispense less ice if ice is being wasted. Consider using water-efficient ice machines- air-cooled rather than water-cooled. Use ice flake machines rather than ice cube machines. Ice flake production uses less water. Use softened water in ice cube machines to minimize bleed-off.
- Presoak utensils and dishes in basins of water, rather under running water.
- Use aerators on sinks that use 2.5 gallon/minute. Where higher flows are needed, install a fingertip control valve for aerator or full flow operation.
- Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator rather than running water. If food must be thawed using water, reduce flows to the minimum needed.
- Install hands-free or foot activated valves on faucets.
- Do not allow water to flow unnecessarily. Consider using automatic shut-off faucets at bar sinks.
- When possible, scrape or brush dishes and pots rather than using running water or pre-rinse sprayers.
- Collect spent cooling water from water-cooled ice cube machines and use for non potable purposes, such as mopping floors or watering plants.
- Wash only full loads in the dishwashers, especially rack type machines.
- Install pressure reducing valves on dishwasher supply lines when the supply pressure exceeds the pressure recommended by the manufacturer.
- Replace older dishwashers with new water and energy efficient models.
- In most situations, garbage disposers, scraping troughs, and conveyers are unnecessary and can be eliminated. In addition to saving water, this measure would eliminate costs to disposal repair and replacement and employee time devoted to clogs and other malfunctions.
- Replace disposers with garbage strainers which use less water.
- Use water from the steam table, instead of fresh water, to wash down the cook's area.
- Use the minimum amount of dishware, glassware, utensils and cookware to reduce dishwashing loads.
- Serve water in bars and restaurants only upon request.
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Saving Water in Commercial Laundry Rooms
- Wash only full loads.
- Evaluate the wash formula and machine cycles for efficiency. It may be appropriate to reprogram machines to eliminate a cycle.
- Consider using water-efficient horizontal-axis/front-loading machines.
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Saving Water in Swimming Pools
Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation and heat loss when the pool is not being used. About 95% of pool water that is lost to evaporation can be saved with the use of a cover.
- Lower pool level to avoid splash-out. Water that is unavoidably splashed-out can be channeled onto the landscape or back into the pool.
- Reduce the water used to back-flush pool filters.
- Check the pool regularly for cracks and leaks (including pressure grouting, liners and drain valves) and make repairs regularly.
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Saving Water Outdoors
Apply water, fertilizer, or pesticides to your landscape only when needed. Look for signs of wilt before watering established plants.
- Water early in the morning or in the evening when wind and evaporation are lowest.
- Follow the City of Greeley's watering restrictions . If your commercial property is 4 acres or larger, you may be eligible for a large property permit.
- Shrub beds don't need to be watered as often as grass.
- Core aerate and apply compost annually for established lawns.
- Install an automatic rain/wind shut-off device on sprinkler systems.
- Consider using low-volume irrigation, such as a drip system.
- Make sure sprinklers are directing water to landscape areas and not to parking lots, sidewalks, or other paved areas.
- Adjust the irrigation schedule for seasonal changes. Sprinklers generally do not have to be run as often in cooler weather or during the rainy season.
- Use mulch around landscape plants to reduce evaporation and weed growth.
- Consider using drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants. Xeriscape is a great low water alternative.
- Be sure all hoses have shut-off nozzles on all hoses.
- Use a broom, rather than a hose, to clear sidewalks, driveways, loading docks and parking lots.
- When it snows pile plowed snow around the landscape rather than a paved surface. Not only do you benefit from the slow percolation of the snowmelt, but you don't lose any parking space.
- Wash vehicles only when needed.
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Saving Water in Hospital & Health Care Operations
- Recycle and reduce water use wherever possible, consistent with the Health Department.
- Post best management practices near machinery.
- Use full loads in sanitizers, dishwashers, sterilizers and laundry washing machines, consistent with infection control requirements.
- Install automatic valves on film processing equipment to stop water flow when equipment is not in use. Use temperature control valves.
- Recycle brine from reverse osmosis or filter backwash, for cooling.
- Replace lab aspirators with a central vacuum system.
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Other Ways to Save Water
- Conduct a water assessment or businesses located in the City of Greeley can request a free assessment.
- Educate employees and students about the importance and benefits of water conservation.
- Create water conservation suggestion boxes, and place them in prominent areas and reward good suggestions.
- Assign an employee to evaluate water conservation opportunities and effectiveness.
- Develop a "Green Team" to work on environmental issues.
- Develop a water efficiency mission statement and action plan. Establish waste reduction goals and develop ways to evaluate and monitor your progress.
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Commercial Water Conservation Links
WaterSense Business Tips
Northern Colorado Industrial, Commercial & Institutional Water Conservation
Green Biz: Water Conservation
Using Water Efficiently: Ideas for Commercial Businesses (EPA)
Using Water Efficiently: Ideas for Industry (EPA)
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