WaterSense at Work: Best Management Practices for Commercial and Institutional Facilities
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Toilets
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Water Management Planning
Overview
Water management planning serves as the foundation for any successful water
reduction effort. It is the first step a commercial or institutional facility owner or man-
ager should take to achieve and sustain long-term water savings. Water management
planning generally addresses water use reductions in four areas:
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••
Reducing water losses (e.g., leaks).
••
Increasing the water efficiency of fixtures, equip-
ment, systems, and processes.
••
Educating employees and occupants about
water efficiency to encourage water-saving
behaviors.
••
Reusing onsite alternative water that would oth-
erwise be discarded or discharged to the sewer
(
e.g., reusing treated gray water or rainwater to
water landscape areas).
Effective water management planning is easily coupled with energy and waste man-
agement. Water management follows the same framework used in the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Energy Department’s (DOE’s) ENERGY
STAR® Guidelines for Energy Management,
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and consists of these seven basic steps:
••
Step 1. Making a commitment
••
Step 2. Assessing facility water use
••
Step 3. Setting and communicating goals
••
Step 4. Creating an action plan
••
Step 5. Implementing the action plan
••
Step 6. Evaluating progress
••
Step 7. Recognizing achievement
Step 1. Making a Commitment
The relative success of any water management program hinges on the organization’s
long-term commitment to use water more efficiently. Commitment should come
from all levels within an organization to ensure that appropriate water management
goals are established and that continuous improvements are made. A champion is
necessary to provide guidance, maintain momentum, and infuse energy into project
implementation. A champion often advocates for the improvements and celebrates
successes to support additional water-saving projects in the future.
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Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) Regional Water Conservation Committee and Black and Veatch. August 2008.
Facility Manager’s Guide to
Water Management Version 2.7
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Page 2.
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Energy Department’s (DOE’s) ENERGY STAR. Guidelines for Energy Management Overview.
