A water efficiency planning guide for building owners and managers

The benefits of using less

The following five benefits can be achieved through increased water efficiency:

Lower costs
If your water is metered and you have a user pay system, you can reduce your water costs by using less water. If your sewer surcharge is calculated as a percentage of your water consumption, you benefit from further savings by reducing your water use.

More efficient processes
By taking measures to reduce water use, you can develop more efficient processes and operations within your facility. The result: more value for your money.

Greater competitiveness
Increased efficiency will lead to cost and time savings. The result: greater competitiveness for your organization.

Enhanced public image
By demonstrating to the public your willingness to become more environmentally responsible, you can gain public respect, applause and publicity.

Cleaner water and better environment
By using less water, and by polluting it with fewer materials, the quality and quantity of Canada's water will be better now, and for future generations.

Develop a Water Efficiency Programme in 4 easy steps

To demonstrate your organization's commitment to water efficiency, develop a comprehensive water efficiency programme that addresses your facility's water use habits in current processes and operations. A successful programme depends on four key steps:

1. GAIN SENIOR MANAGEMENT SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT
It is crucial that senior management support the programme ideologically and financially. Short payback periods make water efficiency a sound short-term investment for a fast and yet long-term solution.

2. GET TO KNOW YOUR FACILITY BY CONDUCTING A WATER AUDIT
To determine how your organization can improve its water efficiency, you should first become familiar with your water system by conducting a water audit of your facility. A water audit allows you to measure water use in different areas of your facility, and assess where water overuse or abuse is taking place, and where leaks might be. The three main activities involved in a water audit include:

• Get to know your water system
  Identify all areas of the facility with hot and cold water supplies. Also note the location of distribution pipes, flow meters, water storage facilities, taps, valves, etc.

• Develop an inventory
  Find out how water is used in each area of your facility by involving knowledgeable staff and measuring water flows. Once you know how much water is being used in each facility process or area of operation, you can identify potential water reduction measures.

• Prepare a water balance for the facility
  This will ensure that all water uses in your facility have been identified and adequately quantified, and that the total volume of water supplied has been accounted for. You may want to break the water balance down into smaller areas to accurately identify areas of overuse or leaks.

3. DEVELOP A WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
Using the information gained from the water audit, you can develop a simple, step-by-step water efficiency plan that outlines water reduction goals and strategies.

Your water efficiency plan should be kept simple and practical so that it can easily be revised. Each plan should include these basic components:

• Policy statement that reflects the commitment of senior management.

• Water reduction goals that are specific, measurable and achievable. Also state the goal measurement (litres, percentage, etc.), when each goal is expected to be achieved, and by what means.

• Action plan outlining specific tasks, associated costs, and how your organization's water use habits can change. An employee or tenant participation and public awareness plan should be developed at this point.
  
  Your action plan will likely include one or more of the following reduction measures:
  • system opimization
  • water saving devices
  • reuse / recycling
  • process changes
  • alternative water sources
  • metering
  • leak detection and reduction measures.

• Assign responsibilities for developing and implementing the plan, or for specific tasks. Consider establishing a water efficiency committee led by an enthusiastic manager.

• Evaluate and revise the plan continually to ensure that it is flexible, relevant and appropriate.

4. DEVELOP AN EMPLOYEE / TENANT PARTICIPATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAMME
The participation, cooperation and commitment of your facility's employees or tenants is essential to the success of your programme.

Following are some suggestions on how to communicate policies, programmes, ideas, announcements, progress reports and special achievements:

• form a committee of employees or tenants to develop a programme
• create a suggestion box and incentive programme that recognizes people with water saving ideas
• discuss water efficiency progress at staff meetings
• write newsletters and brochures
• post special bulletins
• distribute information with pay cheques
• sponsor a slogan or poster contest
• use displays and exhibits in the lobby or cafeteria
• offer water-saving devices to employees or tenants
• develop audio-visual programmes
• bring in speakers from other organizations
• sponsor community seminars on water efficiency

Many municipalities have water conservation programmes.
Contact your local municipality for additional information on the wise use of water.

REMEMBER, the WISE USE OF WATER will save you money and help improve the environment.

An environmental citizen uses water wisely
For more information, contact:
Enquiry Centre, Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0H3
Toll free: 1-800-668-6767