Running a maintenance department means more than designating work, as you well know. There are a lot it encompasses and one thing is saving money, especially if you own the company but even if you don't, it is a good idea to make things easier on the budget.
Water saving strategies is one of the ways to not only save money, but become a greener facility and conserve a precious resource.
Knowing how to get started is one of the biggest challenges that facilities face. It can be as simple as starting with the fixtures. Older fixtures are usually not compliant and use more water than those built after 1992.
According to the EPA:
“Toilets installed before the implementation of EPAct standards can flush as high as 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush,” the EPA explains. “Similarly, urinals installed prior to 1994 can flush as high as 1.5 to 3.5 gpf. Models that flush at 1.28 gpf or less for flushometer valve toilets, per EPA’s draft specification, and 0.5 gpf or less for WaterSense-labeled urinals could save significant volumes.”
Just changing out the toilet in a building with a couple of thousand occupants will see a savings of a couple of thousand dollars in a year's time, so it is well worth the initial investment since that savings will accumulate from year to year.
There are a few more tips that can significantly decrease the usage in your facility. For instance, using dye tablets on tank toilets will alert you to any leaks that are causing water waste. If it is as simple as a flapper that is leaking, this is a simple fix that saves money.
Another one to watch out for is the programming on urinals, toilets, and faucets. One that is not programmed right or has an issue may lead to phantom or double flushes which is wasteful and wears out the fixture faster than necessary.
Read More: 3 Ways To Improve Efficiency
Saving money on water usage simply makes good sense and some of the things you can do as a facility manager are easy to do. It is even easier with Computerized Maintenance Management Software from Maintenance Care because you can easily allot the work tasks and preventative maintenance well in advance and sit back and know that it is done on time.