Below are some suggestions on making your business more sustainable.

Important Changes

Install water efficient aerators for faucets.

Install water efficient toilets.

Install signs encouraging water conservation in break rooms, kitchens, and restrooms.

Have a regularly scheduled time to review your water bill and conduct monthly maintenance checks for plumbing leaks.

If Outdoor Irrigation Exists

Repair all defective irrigation lines and sprinkler heads.

Irrigate between 9 PM – 7 AM.

Adjust sprinkler heads for proper coverage and check monthly.

Prevent runoff by scheduling multiple short run times with at least one hour breaks.

Adjust irrigation times and durations to: three days per week in summer, two days per week in spring and fall, and none in winter.

Equipment Changes

Install water efficient urinals.

Install high efficiency aerators.

Install high efficiency toilets.

Install automatic shutoff faucets in restrooms.

Install foot triggers on food preparation sink faucets.

Install Energy Star and/or water efficient equipment.

Install water recirculation devices.

Install water efficient irrigation system with drip irrigation, soaker hoses and/or matched precipitation rate heads.

Install "smart" irrigation controllers that adjust watering schedules according to weather conditions.

Reduce water pressure to no higher than 70 psi.

Facilities Changes

Landscape with drought resistant plant species or water permeable pavers, stone, or other landscape material.

Install a graywater system to supplement outdoor irrigation.

Install a rain harvesting system to supplement the irrigation system.

Route rainwater from gutters to landscaping areas or rain gardens.

Use ground cover plants or a minimum of two inches of mulch on all non-turf areas to prevent water evaporation.

Practice Changes

Have regularly scheduled monthly maintenance checks for plumbing leaks.

Have regularly scheduled times to review your water bill.

Use dry surface cleaning methods, followed by damp mopping or wiping, instead of hosing indoor and outdoor areas.

Wash vehicles using a "zero discharge" method.

Change window washing schedule from "periodic" to "as needed."

Implement hydrozoning.