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In the business of operating commercial, industrial, and residential facilities,
providing high quality at low cost is everybody's goal. Whether you are owner,
developer, business operator, or tenant, water conservation should be of
interest to you. Why? Because saving water means saving money. Office
buildings, motels, manufacturing properties, warehouses, restaurants—no •
matter what your facility, thoughtful planning today can save dollars for
years to come. . .	- .
What You Should Know
About Water '
Water will not get cheaper. The most
readily-available sources have already
been tapped. As demand for water
Continues to grow, so will its cost and
restrictions-on its use. All water users
will need to become more efficient
over time.	'	-
The best way to
ensure efficiency is
to build it in,
Water-conserving
alternatives to
traditional high-
' use appliances and
practices are now
widely available, and at modest cost.
Choosing such efficient options,
guarantees using less water. •
Saving water is good for your
bottom line. By building
efficiencies into your business
operation, you can lower
costs and increase profits.
m
Financial rewards of conserving'
water go a long way. With alternative
me.thods, you can reduce indoor water


V-
use by up to 40 percent and outdoor use
by up to 90 percent, as compared to
conventional practices. The invest- ,
ments needed are generally reasonable
and often have quick paybacks when
you incorporate efficiency into your
facility during the design and planning
stages. Financial assistance from public
agencies and water suppliers may bie
available in your area. In addition,
reduced water useoften means lower
energy and sewage charges, bringing
expenses down further.
Examples of Real Savings
Residences: The builder of a 100-unit
apartment complex accepted the
engineer's recommendation to install
ultra-low flush toilets, low-flow shower
heads, and modern landscape sprinkler
systems and controls. Actual water
consumption at the complex turned
out to be 20 percent lower than
projections for conventional usage.

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Careful planning, and collaborating with others to develop water efficient designs can save money" white conserving natural resources.
Food Services: Eight fast-food restau-
rants to be built under one roof jointly
agreed to purchase modern, water-
saving appliances for their public and
private restrooms, cooling and dish-
washing facilities, floor maintenance,
and other water-using activities. Their
program, estimated to save 40 percent
of conventional usage, qualified for
low-interest loans from a local eco- .
nomic development agency, and for
subsidies from the water supplier.
Offices: A low-rise office complex
and training center installed efficient
toilets, sinks, and other water-conserv-
ing features, saving 20 percent of'
projected water use.
Hotels: Specificatiohs for a large
resort included low-flow plumbing
fixtures throughout guest rooms and
recreational/restroom facilities, state-
of-the-art heating/ventilating/air
conditioning systems to achieve high
efficiencies in water use, modern laundry
and food service water appliances, and
low-water landscape design. Overall '
savings were projected at 40 percent of
anticipated conventional usage. .
Planning for Efficient
Water Use and Lower
Maintenance Costs
1. Analyze the Potential
Estimate water consumption based on
conventional usage for your type of
business. Identify what measures might
work for you (e.g., more efficient
plumbing fixtures', xeriscaping your
outdoor "areas, controlling hot water
use). Then, considering the reductions
described above; estimate the'range of
your potential savings.
2.	State your Objectives
What are you working toward^
Returns on your investment ? Staying
within a stated amount of water
available? Showing that you've taken
responsible steps to conserve?-Your
engineer can tell you the costs and
benefits of various alternative's that
conform to local axle.
3.	Find Help
Ask local utility companies (including
water suppliers") for planning informa-
tion and references, as well as about
incentives. Trade groups can provide
the natpes of installers, and professional
organizations can refer you to architects
and engineers. Manufacturers of
water-saving appliances.will gladly
provide information on the installation,
performance, and cost of their products.
Seek out plumbing contractors who
specialize in low-flow and ultra-low-
flow fixtures.
4.	Consider the Economics
Ask about conservation programs with
financial incentives that can reduce
construction costs and generate savings
for years. Often, installing low-flow
and ultra-loW-flow fixtures costs no
more than using conventional fixtures.
Where additional cost is incurred, the
investment is generally paid back in ¦
little time., even without incentives.
Water,'sewer, and energy savings will
continue year after year.
5. Get the Job Done Right
Make sure contractors conform to the
guidelines you've set for them and for
the project. Insist that your plumber
rigorously adhere to installation
. instructions, not only for proper
performance but also to ensure that
you qualify for applicable incentives.
Stay involved—there's no surer way to
make a project successful. At the end
of the "job ask, "Was it done right?"
Finally, monitor water consumption and
costs to confirm the projected savings.
There's no substitute for water. As the
demand for this finite resource increases,
so will its cost to the user—you. Those
businesses that incorporate water-
saving measures into their operations .
today, will have a f inancial edge
tomorrow. Build in water efficiency
•benefits from the beginning. There's
never a better time!
¥1
PREVENTION
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact:
U.S. EPA Region-8
Office of Policy & Management
. 999 18th Street, Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202-2466
i-800-227-8917

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