Conduct a Water Audit: How much water does your office use?  What are the major uses?  Where is water being wasted?  Begin your water efficiency project with an audit that assesses your workplace’s current water use.  Then your Green Team can explore water efficiency opportunities.  You can perform your own office water assessment or obtain outside help through free water audits from your local utility.

Green Fact: According to the EPA,  studies conducted in Seattle, Washington, and by the East Bay Municipal Utility District in California have shown that a household can save approximately 570 gallons per year by replacing existing bathroom sink faucet aerators with high-efficiency 1.5 gpm aerators.

Your goal is to have the right equipment and to adopt habits of wise water use.
The 1992 United States Energy Policy Act established water efficiency plumbing standards for common plumbing devices. The American Water Works Association estimates that a savings of 6.5 billion gallons per day will be achieved in the US by the year 2025 through these standards. The standards set for maximum water usage are:

• Faucets: 2.2 gpm @ 80 psi (8.3 liters per minute)
• Toilets: 1.6 gallons per flush (6 liters per flush)
• Urinals: 1.0 gpf (3.8 lpf)
• Showerheads: 2.5 gallons per minute @ 80 psi (9.5 liters per minute)

However, new water-saving devices can offer you much better efficiency than those listed above.

Here are some additional ways you can reduce water usage in your office:

• Adopt a policy to use water wisely in the office, using the ideas listed below.
• Adopt a policy and habit of reporting leaks or examples of water wasting in your facility.
• Adopt a policy for monthly inspection and repair of leaks in your facility. Leaks in toilet tanks can be found using leak detecting tablets, which may be available from your water company. Toilets are usually very easy to fix. For example, see www.toiletology.com or contact your building manager or plumber.
• Decide to use city tap water instead of bottled water.
• Provide reusable cups instead of disposable cups. If using disposable cups, use ones from biodegradable sources such as corn, or use cups from recyclable plastic (plastic types “1” or “2”).
• Use “dry” floor cleaning methods, followed by damp mopping indoors, rather than spraying or hosing surfaces with water.
• Change window cleaning schedule from regularly scheduled to “as required.”
• Post signs in your restrooms and in the office kitchen to encourage wise water use (such as, “Please turn me off”, or “Please tell us if we leak or drip.”).
• Avoid letting the water run if not needed, such as when washing dishes, brushing your teeth, washing your hands, or shaving.
• Dishwasher and clothing washing machines: Use environmentally-friendly detergents. Scrape dishes rather than rinsing before putting them in dishwashers. Use the short or energy-saving cycles. Run machines only when full or at least use the small-load settings on these machines. New water-efficient dishwashers only use 5-8 gallons. Check out https://www.greenchoices.org/ for more ideas.
• Turn off your hot water heater: Turning off the hot water heaters for your entire building saves a lot of money and energy.  This Action Step was researched and adopted in 2010 by the public health specialists of the Escambia County Health Department in Pensacola, Florida, U.S.A., and found to be safe and to produce large savings of money and carbon emissions.
• Encourage office members to contribute ideas for water savings.

Did you know that about half of our drinkable water is used for home gardens, lawns and commercial landscaping?

Choose the right plant for each location on your property, considering soil conditions, natural water drainage, and light. For each plant, consider its mature size, sun or shade requirements, soil and water needs, salt and cold tolerance as well as pH tolerance. Native succulents, sedges, grasses and flowers usually require less water, fertilizer and pest control than non-native species. Look into creating a rain garden and planting buffer zones to reduce runoff.

Invite your landscape maintenance team to join your Office Green Team and consider these steps:

Water conservation does not have to end with your office. Education your community is an important step in creating a greener environment.

• Create a water efficiency “tip of the week” program.
• Prepare informational handouts on for patients and staff on topics such as water conserving faucets, toilets and appliances; bottled water; and gardening methods.
• Prepare a handout based on the online guide, “Forty-nine tips for saving water in the home“.
• Prepare an informational handout on pesticide and chemical use.
• Post a sign in your waiting room, restrooms and break room saying, “We conserve water for everyone’s health.”
• Post a sign in restrooms asking users to conserve water and to report any leaks or drips.
• Invite suggestions for water conservation from those working in the office and from your patients.
• Add water efficiency ideas to your office website, newsletter, and bulletin boards.
• Offer a prize for the best water-saving idea or action each quarter.
• Publicize your action plans, accomplishments or setbacks. Seek feedback from those working in the office.
• Schedule your water utility, agriculture extension office or a local non-profit to make a luncheon presentation to encourage water efficiency in the office and at home. Some water utilities offer free water conservation brochures or kits.
• Develop, support or sponsor a community garden. Check with your agriculture extension office, city government, or garden clubs to learn how you can get involved.