When you’re running a business, you’re probably hyper-aware of your financial budgets, sales figures and profits, but the amount of water you’re using may not be something that crosses your mind. However, water usage is inherently linked to your business costs and, therefore, your profitability.
By improving your water efficiency, you can reduce your expenditure, often by a significant amount. As a result, a higher proportion of your turnover can be retained as profit, rather than being used to fund your running costs. With this in mind, take a look at these four ways businesses can reduce their water usage:
1. Track Usage
If you don’t know how much water you’re using, you won’t be able to determine whether you’re reducing your water consumption. A water audit and smart meter are simple yet effective ways to identify how much water your business uses on a regular basis. As well as accessing important data, monitoring water consumption also allows you to identify potential leaks on your premises. This means you can cut your water usage straight away and protect the building from unnecessary damage.
While you may still be reliant on business water suppliers, tracking your usage will enable you to choose the best tariffs and rates, based on your needs. As a result, you can reduce your costs further and maximise savings.
2. Install Low Flow Fittings
Standard taps, toilets and showers use a considerable amount of water, but more eco-friendly fittings can easily be installed. Low flow fittings are designed to reduce the amount of water used without impeding the use of facilities. Upgrading your washrooms, taps and toilet facilities with low flow fittings is a relatively minor task, but it’s one that has a big impact.
3. Plan Landscaping
Many businesses keep their surroundings well-maintained with lawns, shrubs and trees. Although this can create an appealing outdoor area for staff and customers to enjoy, the landscaping decisions you make affect how much water your business uses. Lawns, in particular, require a considerable amount of care and may need to be watered frequently throughout the spring and summer months.
However, there are many plants which can thrive in the UK with little water. By incorporating these into your landscaping plans, you can naturally reduce water consumption. Similarly, making use of hardscaping can reduce the amount of maintenance and water required.
4. Harvest Rainwater
Collecting and reusing rainwater is an excellent way to reduce the amount of water you’re paying for. Rain collected via water butts could be used to keep plants and shrubs hydrated, for example. Alternatively, you could install a rainwater harvesting system which will allow water to be collected from flat areas, such as roofs or patios, which is then filtered and stored for future use. This water can be used for a variety of purposes, including toilet flushing or vehicle washing, and will reduce your reliance on water from utility companies.
Becoming More Water Efficient
If you want to reduce your running costs and operate in a more environmentally friendly way, increasing water efficiency is an obvious goal. Many people are surprised at just how easy it is to reduce water usage and how many benefits it can offer. Whether you’re striving to become a green business, or you simply want to increase your profitability, boosting your water efficiency should be a top priority.