Saving water in your workplace
Use these 6 steps to analyse water efficiency and reduce water use in your workplace:
- get management on side
- collect information
- list end uses
- assess water uses
- identify and implement water saving ideas
- review and report.
The following areas are common to small and large enterprises and are the easiest places to start making water and cost savings.
Make your staff water wise
- Talk to staff about your water savings initiatives. Include water savings policies and procedures in staff inductions.
- Encourage staff to contribute to water saving ideas.
- Discuss water efficiency at team meetings and provide regular reports on water use figures.
- Appoint a 'water champion' to check meters and monitor water use.
- Establish a baseline for water use and set achievable targets for saving water.
Taps
- Install water-efficient taps with an aerator or flow restrictor to use less water.
- Install lever or mixer taps, these save water by quickly reaching a desired temperature.
- Fix leaking taps and replace washers - even a slowly dripping tap can waste 10,000 litres of water over a year.
- Avoid washing up under running taps.
Dishwashers
- Install water-efficient dishwashers to use 50% less water than average models.
- Wait until you have a full load before washing.
- Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes prior to washing.
Toilets
- Replace single-flush toilets with dual-flush toilets.
- Regularly check for leaks and fix immediately.
- Install water-efficient urinals with smart controls to reduce unnecessary flushing.
Showers
- Encourage staff and customers to limit showers to 4 minutes or less.
- Install water-efficient shower heads, which can use up to 40% less water.
- Fix leaking showers.
Air conditioning
- If you use evaporative air conditioners, set your thermostat to 24°C.
- Where possible, use fans and natural ventilation.
- Switch off heating and cooling after hours.
Gardens
- Install rainwater tanks.
- Use drought-tolerant plants.
- Use mulch to keep moisture in the soil.
- Water plants early in the morning or in the evening.
Water-efficient products
You can cut water consumption by using white goods with a high water-efficiency rating. For more information, visit the Australian Government's Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme and Smart Approved Watermark.
Also consider...
- Access our comprehensive water-saving resources and advice.
- Read our water restrictions checklist for more information on how your business can save water.
- Use the EcoBiz program to help identify cost-saving opportunities for your business's water usage. ecoBiz also provides an on-site coaching session and benchmarking assistance.
- Last reviewed: 9 Aug 2016
- Last updated: 19 Jul 2019
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