Businesses Can Help Drought
As California businesses pull themselves back together following the statewide shutdowns, it is important to come back stronger than ever and be proactive in addressing our problems. One struggle that hasn’t gone away is the drought. Leaky infrastructure at your business such as faucets, toilets, and irrigation not only waste water, but wastes your hard earned money with increased water bills. Fortunately, there are many simple things your business can do to help conserve California’s precious water. We’ve compiled a list of water conservation tips to help you conserve water and help your business operate more efficiently.
Be leak-free! According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a leaky faucet dripping at a drip per second wastes 3,000+ gallons per year! Leaks in fixtures like toilets, showers, or sprinkler systems can be water vampires – wasting water and money! Learn more through this handy infographic.
Switch to low flow. Reduce the gallons used at your business by installing high efficiency toilets (e.g., those flusing at 1.0 gallons per flush or dual flush), showerheads flowing at 1.5 gallons per minute (GPM) or less, and low-flow faucet aerators (.5 GPM for handwashing and 1.5 GPM for kitchens). These changes are easy and cost-efficient, you may have already completed a water tune-up during your Green Business certification and if you haven’t, contact your coordinator.
Incorporate drought-resilient landscaping. If you have landscaping, go as drought-resistant and native plant-heavy as possible. Check out CalRecycle’s site here for more information! Use drip irrigation instead of spray sprinklers. Water during the coolest hours of the day. You can go above and beyond and install smart sensors that take into account weather conditions and moisture levels for any irrigation needs. Learn about xeriscaping here.
Are you utilizing your local resources? Contact your local water utility and ask what rebates are available. Many jurisdictions have rebates available for water conservation upgrades such as installing low-flow toilets and removing turf!
Finally, remember that the energy-water nexus is a big deal! In fact, around 12 percent of California’s total energy use is related to water. Energy Upgrade CA has some energy saving tips to implement in your business and home at
Want to go beyond the tips above? Support organizations fighting against California’s drought. The Water Education Foundation has a great compilation of options.
Make sure your business is doing everything it can to fight the drought by getting certified as a Green Business.
