Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Conservation

Using water efficiently saves energy and money. TVWD offers free water use assessments and rebate assistance to commercial, industrial and institutional property owners, including multi-family housing. 

Small businesses, large industrial companies, and government agencies can all help conserve our precious water resources. Make water efficiency an official priority and get your employees, suppliers, and customers on board too with these simple tips.

Increase Awareness

• Encourage water conservation with signs posted in high-use areas like kitchens, locker rooms and restrooms.
• Inform suppliers, vendors and service contractors that water efficiency is a priority.
• Offer incentives for water saving ideas and reaching water conservation goals.
• Assign an employee to identify water waste, track usage and develop a conservation plan. Read water meters on a regular basis and share the results.

Adopt Water-Saving Maintenance Practices

• Check water system for leaks and make repairs immediately.
• Install water-efficient WaterSense labeled fixtures, appliances and equipment.
• Clean sidewalks, driveways, loading docks and parking lots with a broom instead of a hose.
• Keep water-using equipment calibrated and in good working order.

Adjust Equipment to Use Less Water

• Discontinue continuous flows and single-pass cooling.
• Install energy and water-efficient AC equipment.
• Use water-recycling and water treatment systems for chillers and cooling towers to reduce other intermittent discharges of water.
• Identify potential discharges that can be reclaimed and reused.

Design and Maintain Water-Efficient Landscapes

• Install a rain sensor that shuts down automatic irrigation systems when it rains.
• Water lawns in the morning or evening to curb evaporation loss.
• Consider drip irrigation for flowerbeds and shrubs to further stop evaporation loss.
• Only plant turf where it serves a purpose, like in picnic areas, playgrounds and sports fields.
• Choose native or regionally-adapted plants, which require less water.
• Hire a landscape management company experienced in water conservation.

Want more information? Check out the EPA’s Commercial Buildings Page to learn best management practices, how to make the business case for conserving and more.