Workplace Tips

1. #10

   Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don’t have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.

2. #29

   Upgrade older toilets with water-saving WaterSense® labeled models.

3. #39

   Install water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.

4. #41

   Look for WaterSense® labeled toilets, sink faucets, urinals and showerheads.

5. #54

   Hire a GreenPlumber® to help reduce your water, energy, and chemical use.

6. #57

   See a leak you can’t fix? Tell a parent, teacher, employer, or property manager, or call a handyman.

7. #59

   Make suggestions to your employer or school about ways to save water and money.

8. #143

   Some commercial refrigerators and ice-makers are cooled with water. Upgrade to air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.

9. #144

   Post a hotline in bathrooms and kitchens to report leaks or water waste to facility managers or maintenance personnel.

10. #145

    Create a suggestion and incentives system at your organization to recognize water-saving ideas.

11. #146

    Include a water-saving tip in your employee newsletter. Find 100+ tips at wateruseitwisely.com.

12. #147

    Implement a water management plan for your facility, then educate employees on good water habits through newsletters and posters.

13. #148

    Publish your organization’s monthly water use to show progress toward water-saving goals.

14. #149

    Invite your water utility conservation staff to your organization for Earth Day and other environmental events to help promote water savings.

15. #150

    Water audit your facility to find out your recommended water use, then monitor your utility bills to gauge your monthly consumption.

16. #151

    Have maintenance personnel regularly check your facilities for leaks, drips and other water waste.

17. #152

    If you use processed water in your business or facility, look into water recycling.

18. #153

    Contact your water utility to see if rebates are available for purchasing water-efficient fixtures, equipment or for facility audits.

19. #154

    Consider and compare water use when purchasing ice makers, dishwashers, reverse osmosis units, coolers and cleaning equipment.

20. #155

    Become or appoint a water ambassador within your organization who creates, implements and maintains your water conservation program.

21. #156

    Become a proud WaterSense® partner and let all your customers know.

22. #157

    As part of the WaterSense® Fix-A-Leak Week in March, plan an employee campaign to look for leaks.

23. #158

    Determine how your on-site water is being used by installing sub-meters where feasible, then monitoring for savings.

24. #159

    Conduct a facility water use inventory and identify water management goals.

25. #160

    Don’t forget hidden water use costs, like energy for pumping, heating and cooling, chemical treatment, and damage and sewer expenses.

26. #161

    Show your company’s dedication to water conservation through a policy statement. Commit management, staff and resources to the effort.

27. #162

    Shut off water to unused areas of your facility to eliminate waste from leaks or unmonitored use.

28. #163

    Create a goal of how much water your company can save and plan a celebration once that goal is met.

29. #164

    Ask employees for suggestions on saving water and give prizes for the best ideas. Incentivize it!

30. #165

    Write feature articles on your employee website that highlight water-saving ideas and successes.

31. #166

    Test your co-workers or employees on topics like xeriscape, WaterSense®, and high-efficiency toilets. See how water-wise they are.

32. #167

    Hire a WaterSense® irrigation partner to help with your landscape.

33. #168

    Saving water on your landscape adds up quickly. Send the person in charge of your landscape to an irrigation workshop.

34. #169

    Marry the weather with your landscape water use. Water use should decrease during rainy periods and increase during hot, dry periods.

35. #170

    Visit your local Water Conservation office’s website to get information on programs available to businesses.

36. #171

    Make sure your contract plumber and/or maintenance personnel knows about GreenPlumbers®.

37. #172

    Ask your company to support water conservation events and education. ProjectWet hosts local events throughout the country.

38. #173

    Support Tap Into Quality and forgo those plastic water bottles to lower your carbon footprint.

39. #174

    Scrape dishes rather than rinsing them before washing.

40. #175

    Use water-conserving icemakers.

41. #176

    A recent study showed that 99% of business managers surveyed ranked water conservation as a “top five” priority over the next decade.

42. #177

    If your facility relies on cooling towers, have maintenance maximize cycles of concentration by providing efficient water treatment.

43. #178

    Be sure your irrigation system is watering only the areas intended, with no water running onto walks, streets or down the gutter.

44. #179

    While cleaning sidewalks, a hose and nozzle use 8-12 gallons of water per minute. A pressurized Waterbroom® uses closer to 3 gallons.

45. #180

    Inspect your landscape irrigation system regularly for leaks or broken sprinkler heads and adjust pressures to specification.

46. #181

    Give your landscape proper amounts of irrigation water. Determine water needs, water deeply but infrequently, and adjust to the season.

47. #182

    Establish a monthly water budget for your landscape based on the water needs of your plants.

48. #183

    Limit turf areas at your facility. Instead, landscape using xeriscape principles to cut water use in half.

49. #184

    Put decorative fountains on timers and use only during work or daylight hours. Check for leaks if you have automatic refilling devices.

50. #185

    Wash company vehicles at commercial car washers that recycle water.

51. #186

    Wash company vehicles as needed rather than on a schedule. Stretch out the time in between washes.

52. #187

    Consider turning your high-maintenance water feature/fountain into a low-maintenance art feature or planter.

53. #188

    When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They are more water and energy efficient.

54. #189

    Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.

55. #190

    When ice cubes are leftover from your drink, don’t throw them out. Pour them on a plant.