Retrofits Help Multifamily Facilities Save Water
Multifamily apartment buildings in California could be much more water efficient, according to a new study that shows retrofits provide substantial savings compared to minor improvements. The research, performed by the building efficiency software provider WegoWise, , shows that while California apartment buildings as a whole only used 6% less water in the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2013, facilities that used retrofits cut their water use by 25% over the same period.
While the total savings have yet to satisfy Governor Jerry Brown’s 25% water reduction requirement, the study’s authors are quick to note that their data shows retrofits can help drive efficiency. The most effective strategies are comprehensive fixture overhauls including sinks, showers, and toilets, as well as landscaping upgrades such as drip irrigation replacements. The study used information from over 700 California facilities and also highlights simple improvements that can yield big results, such as a Los Angeles hotel saving 30% on water after a toilet retrofit.
Looking to boost your own facility’s water savings? Check out these 6 tips that can improve conservation.
Measure the Meter
Water leaks can be costly and no one likes to pay for water they’re not using, so make sure your facility isn’t wasting water by checking for leaks. Wait for a day when no one is using the building and then turn the water off. Read the meter and wait 15 minutes before reading it again. If the meter has moved in the time allotted, your building may have a water leak – call a professional to confirm.
Hydro-Zone Your Landscaping
While a variety of plants with different water requirements can make for attractive aesthetics, you could also be wasting water by overwatering some plants in an effort to make sure they all stay healthy. Try re-assessing your landscaping by grouping plants together based on their water requirements. By keeping vegetation with others that share similar watering schedules, you can utilize irrigation valves more efficiently.
Make Cooling Towers Smarter
If you’re looking to cut water consumption, flow meters can be your best friend. Be sure to install them on your cooling tower’s bleed-off and make-up lines to assess the volume of water being used and lost via evaporation, drift, and leaks. You’ll also want to regularly inspect the construction of your cooling tower, look closely for leaks and malfunctions that could also be causing losses.
Send Garbage Disposals Packing
Garbage disposals can use inordinate amounts of water in your facility – up to 10-15 gallons every minute. Cut their usage down to absolute minimums if you aren’t able to eliminate them entirely. A good alternative can be to use a food pulper, which uses less water than a disposal while creating compost from food scraps that would otherwise be wasted. The EPA estimates that food pulpers could reduce potable water use by up to 40%.
Consider Sprinkler Alternatives
If you currently use overhead sprinklers to water your facility’s lawns, consider how much water may be lost to evaporation. Estimates show that drip irrigation technology, which is usually installed under the ground, can save up to 10-15% of the water used by traditional sprinklers. Be sure to get all the facts about your specific facility as differences in construction and ease of retrofit can make some technologies more trouble than their water savings are worth.
Get Creative with Fire Sprinkler Testing
Think about how much water your fire sprinkler system is capable of using, now think about how many times per year the system is tested – that can be a lot of water! If your system is tested four times per year, it could add up to 15,000 gallons per stand pipe. Capturing this water for re-use can be done with a holding tank and particulate filtration, as the water will likely have been standing for many months. After the water has been filtered, it can be used as needed for irrigation, cleaning, or other purposes. The best part is that you’ve already paid for it, so any collected water will be a benefit to your water bill.
Source: Buildings
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