Conserving water is an excellent way to reduce water scarcity and combat climate change. Small and large businesses can practice water conservation to benefit their community and the environment. Conserving water can be as simple as reminding employees to carry reusable water bottles or as involved as thoroughly tracking water use and regularly inspecting water fixtures.
One of the best ways to conserve water is by recycling used water. Companies can install water recycling systems to collect, clean and treat water for reuse in processes such as cleaning and cooling. This allows them to reduce how much water they use on business operations and ultimately benefit the environment by using less water.
Why Water Recycling Is Important
Water recycling is a process that reclaims water from various sources and cleans and treats it for reuse. Using recycled water is a sustainable alternative to using existing water supplies that can be preserved for other purposes.
Water recycling benefits businesses, local communities and the environment. Water scarcity is a result of the changing climate and overconsumption, but recycling water can help to conserve water and reduce water scarcity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), industrial corporations use 59% of the water supply in high-income countries, so wastewater recycling is an essential part of reducing water scarcity and fighting climate change.
Benefits of Conserving Water
Conserving water is beneficial for corporations, their surrounding communities and the environment. Recycling water has the following benefits:
- Water scarcity reduction
- Increased safety and health
- Less damage to the environment
- Greater ability to meet industry regulations and standards
- Lower industrial costs
When a business conserves and recycles water, it reduces its impact on the environment and lowers industrial costs related to water use. Conserving water is also an effective way to meet industry regulations and increase public health and safety because it reduces the amount of wastewater that gets released into the environment.
How Do You Reuse Water?
Companies often use water to operate machinery, cool their systems and wash equipment. They can reuse this water when they collect their used wastewater and clean it for reuse. Water reuse companies provide closed-loop washing systems that businesses can use to collect, clean and recycle their used wash water. Businesses can also invest in systems that will recycle water for cooling systems and operating machinery.
How Can Businesses Conserve Water?
Commercial business water recycling and conservation are important. Companies can use various strategies to reduce the amount of water they use and recycle their wastewater for reuse. Effective water conservation strategies for businesses include the following:
Plant Greenery That Requires Less Water
Using less water to maintain outdoor areas for office buildings or warehouses can help conserve water. Sprinkler systems often use significant amounts of water to preserve grassy areas. Companies can reduce water use outside their buildings by replacing grass with ground covers, shrubs, trees and native plants that require less water. Native plants have often adapted to local rainfall conditions, so they require very little watering.
Implement Effective Water System Maintenance
It’s important to regularly inspect water-consuming systems to address maintenance issues that may cause more water consumption than is necessary. Corporations can check pipes and faucets for leaks and carefully inspect their utility bills to check for any water usage increases.
Even a small leak can waste significant amounts of water, so businesses should consult with a plumber to fix any issues that arise as soon as possible.
Practice Water Efficiency
If a company uses water-intensive machinery such as washing machines and dishwashers, machine operators can try to operate them only when fully loaded to prevent wasting water. They can also turn off their air conditioning units when their buildings don’t need them. Cooling units often use significant amounts of water to operate, so using them only when they are absolutely necessary can help to limit an organization’s water use.
Install Low-Flow Fixtures
Companies can reduce the amount of water employees, customers or clients use by installing low-flow fixtures in kitchens and bathrooms. Low-flow toilet aerators, waterless urinals and touchless faucets can significantly cut back on water usage.
Touchless faucets also improve hygiene and health because they eliminate the need for individuals to tough faucet handles with bacteria and other germs on their hands.
Educate Employees
Educating employees about best practices for water use is a simple, cost-effective way to conserve water. Corporations can educate their employees with the following water conservation tips:
- Turning water faucets off while lathering hands if the company doesn’t have low-flow or touchless faucets
- Using reusable water bottles
- Practicing water efficiency when using machines
Use Recycled Water
One of the most effective ways companies can conserve water is by using recycled water for their business and machinery operations. Facilities can clean their used water or collect and clean stormwater, grey water or wastewater to use in their industrial operations. Common water reuse opportunities include the following:
- Washing floors, equipment, vehicles, crates and pallets
- Water cooling towers
- Irrigation
- Sanitary fixtures
- Dust suppression
- pH adjustment
- Fire protection
- Air purifying
- Irrigation
- Transporting materials
An effective way a company can use recycled water is by investing in a closed-loop equipment washing station to recycle wash water for reuse. A closed-loop system traps used water in a physical containment wash rack or concrete pad so it cannot pollute the environment.
The water then enters a drain and a biological treatment system, which removes pollutants, solid matter and fine particulates before the system repressurizes it and returns it to the wash water supply for reuse.
ESD Waste2Water’s Water Cycling Solutions
The changing climate and overconsumption of water threaten the global water supply and the people who depend on it. Many businesses use significant amounts of water for various processes, including washing and operating industrial machinery.
When businesses are mindful of their water consumption and take steps to recycle, they can make a significantly positive impact on the environment while saving money and benefiting their local community at the same time.
ESD Waste2Water offers water cycling solutions to help businesses conserve water, save money, benefit the environment and comply with EPA regulations. We design, manufacture, install and maintain quality equipment that companies can rely on for their water recycling needs. Our water recycling systems are low-maintenance and efficient, so businesses can easily and effectively wash their equipment in an environmentally-friendly manner and track the volume of water recycled.
Contact ESD Waste2Water to learn more about how we can help your company conserve water and make a positive impact on the environment.