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From Water Flow to Cash Flow
How simple solutions can help facilities save both of these key resources
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Baltimore, Maryland March 15-17, 2005
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These days, it is not uncommon to hear of a facility undergoing an energy audit to track potential sources of wasted power or a security audit to determine a building’s vulnerabilities. But a water audit? Actually, it’s a good idea, says Amy Vickers, engineer, water-conservation expert and author of The Handbook of Water Use and Conservation (WaterPlow Press).
“The regulatory picture is shifting when it comes to water use,” Vickers says. “And LEED standards are becoming part of municipal building codes. It’s becoming critical to determine water’s end uses throughout a facility.”
Vickers is president of Amy Vickers & Associates Inc. in Amherst, Mass., and author of the water-efficiency requirements for plumbing fixtures adopted under the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992. She says it makes sense to emphasize the practical when implementing water-saving measures.
“Many large and some small facilities use single-pass cooling, which is cheap to install but expensive to operate,” she says. “Recirculating that water can save money.”
Facilities can find savings, both in costs and water use, by paying closer attention to leaks. Sensors and routine maintenance procedures can significantly reduce waste and property damage. Landscaping is another area in which organizations can save money by using native plants on the grounds and installing auto-irrigation systems that require no daily maintenance.
“Sears and UPS have transformed their landscapes, not necessarily because they’re environmentalists, but to save money,” she says.
Vickers adds that plumbing fixtures are prime targets for water conservation. From low-flow toilets to waterless urinals, technology is changing and improving water efficiency.
“New York City’s Battery Park recently went to composting toilets and gray-water use,” she says. “These are options that make sense not only for state parks but for new construction that takes the long-term view for cost savings.”
While most water-conservation measures are basic, communicating the need for them to upper management can be difficult. Vickers says it is critical to shift the management mindset from the short term to the long term.
“Technology is always changing and providing more opportunities for long-term savings,” says Vickers. “It behooves a facility professional to stay on top of this.”
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