Water efficiency is not a new concept, especially in the United States. Lately, excessive use of water extracted from underground and surface sources has led to deficits. When it comes to residential, federal, and commercial buildings, water efficiency measures have increased in popularity.
Where are we now
From low-flow toilets and urinals to rainwater collection, these solutions have proven to be beneficial. Reducing water waste, producing smaller volumes of sewage, increasing energy efficiency and saving significant amounts are some of the most visible results so far. However, there are other solutions that building managers and owners can implement to increase the water efficiency of their buildings to comply with current policies.
How to increase a building’s water efficiency
In addition to codes and growing awareness of people's need to use natural resources wisely, communities, agencies and NGOs have made further progress to increase water efficiency in the U.S.
In the context of aging infrastructures, which require massive repairs, updates and replacements, it makes perfect sense to go further in the search for innovative solutions to reduce energy and water costs with environmental benefits.
Looking for a plumbing project to increase your building's water efficiency?
Water Descalers
A relatively new technology aimed at replacing the infamous salt-based water softeners and water softeners eliminates the problem of hard water in residential and commercial buildings.
As a water treatment system typically installed in new buildings, a water softener can become an efficient upgrade for any home or facility. Due to the technology involved, electronic water softeners are environmentally friendly, affordable, and easy to install to eliminate hardness molecules from water, increasing overall water efficiency.
Limescale and hard water lead to:
- Clogging of pipes,
- Reductions in water pressure,
- Damage to water heaters,
- Breakage of household appliances,
- Malfunction of heating systems and subsequently increased energy costs and an increasing need to replace plumbing, piping, installations and hot water/heating generators.
Compared to other technological means of improving water efficiency, water softeners present some specific benefits:
- Easy to install and move, requiring no downtime or certified plumbing skills;
- Generate considerable energy savings;
- They do not alter the quality of water in a home or facility;
- Reduce the lifetime management costs of a building;
- By preventing scale deposits, they extend the useful life of plumbing, pipes, accessories, surfaces and appliances;
- They need little to no maintenance.
When installed in a building's piping system, water descalers extend the life and efficiency of water systems and water-based equipment/appliances. These systems reduce a building's maintenance and energy costs, improving sustainability and keeping greenhouse gas emissions to a minimum.
Water Sense Equipment Updates
According to the EPA, the WaterSense program can have a significant impact on water efficiency. The agency reports that we could all save 20% more water if we installed water-efficient equipment and appliances. Additionally, American families could save more than $380 annually by retrofitting appliances and accessories with the WaterSense label and Energy Star certifications.
In homes, people invest in new appliances, but when it comes to installations, managers must think bigger. When it comes to buildings, commercial kitchens, cafeterias or laundry rooms should benefit from energy and water efficient appliances.
Old water-cooled ice machines, water dispensers for offices, commercial dishwashers for restaurants – these are all examples to consider.
Saving over 50,000 gallons of water per year, over $200 on water bills, and nearly $1,000 in energy costs by replacing just older commercial appliances with Energy Star appliances contributes to sustainability and financial efficiency efforts of managers.
Gray Water Systems
Graywater is wastewater that is not treated and has never been found in toilet waste. Installing greywater systems can help us use this water for non-potable applications such as flushing toilets/urinals, irrigation and so on.
One problem with using greywater is that it is subject to state and local regulations. Depending on building codes, zoning laws, and your state public health department, you may be able to legally collect and reuse greywater. Each state has its own definition of what gray water is and how people can use it.
Wastewater systems collect water from sinks, showers, and other drains. Typically, applications also involve the use of screen filters to separate impurities from the water. In-line water filters, filter bags and settling tanks are ideal solutions for a greywater filtration system, depending on their size and purpose.
A successful example of using gray water to manage facilities that require water is Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, home of the 49ers. The multi-use sports and entertainment complex uses gray and rainwater for irrigation, toilets, urinals and other potable and non-potable applications.
Innovative technologies are here to help residential and commercial building managers and owners improve water efficiency, support sustainable living and lower costs.
