Let's explore how water-saving retrofit projects can benefit the environment—and your bottom line. Last week we discussed the various ways to begin retrofitting a building. Depending on your priorities and needs, you can review your building’s electric, heating/cooling or water costs. Water-saving retrofits not only can save you money but also help the surrounding community in its ability to manage water supply.
About water-saving retrofits
There are many reasons some buildings are less efficient than others in their water consumption. Some of these are:
The installed equipment
The overall design of the building
How the building is supplied with water
The function of the building
There are three major aspects of water-saving retrofit projects:
The application of water-saving appliances or equipment
The treatment and reuse of recycled water
The collection and use of rainwater
Examples of water-saving retrofit projects
Improving and changing the equipment of a building can save a tremendous amount of water. Even the smallest changes can make a big impact. Consider installing water-saving toilets or flushometers. Each flush will result in a reduction of water usage and send less waste water to the sewage treatment facility. Another way a building can reduce its water consumption is by upgrading its irrigation systems. Changing the irrigation to a drip system will reduce the runoff and evaporation of water that comes with a sprinkler system. Gray water also can be used to irrigate after the waste water from sinks and showers has been processed.
Of course, all of the work that goes into water-saving retrofits is not possible without plumbers. Our industry is desperate for tradespeople. The labor shortage can stunt progress in our efforts to create more energy-efficient buildings.