Seven-point plan for water conservation

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To sustainably reduce water use, businesses need to manage water better.

Following the steps in the seven point plan will improve the value of your EDC Business Program membership and improve the success of your water conservation program.

1. Seek commitment and leadership from senior management
   Successful water conservation programs need commitment and leadership from senior management. Management must take the lead in water conservation and encourage changes in processes and in behaviour to achieve sustainable water savings.



2. Appoint a water conservation manager
   Organisations that appoint someone to manage their water conservation projects achieve better results. This person needs to have the dedicated responsibility for water conservation although it does not need to be their sole task.



3. Understand your systems to determine where water is used in your business
   Determine where and how water is used within your business. Carry out an audit of water use, develop a balance between water entering and leaving the site and identify the opportunities for water savings.
   
   You also need to identify and quantify the hidden costs of water. Saving water can cut your waste water costs, cut your use of electricity and gas, reduce chemical treatment costs, help you use labour more efficiently, and identify redundant water-using equipment.



4. Identify the opportunities to save water
   Think laterally. Some of the simplest ideas may be the most cost effective. Water conservation is not just about large-scale technical solutions. Small changes can make a big difference. For more information on what you can do to save water in your business click here.



5. Set a realistic conservation goal
   It is important to have realistic conservation targets so that everyone can measure the gains. Businesses that conduct a water audit can typically identify savings of 20 per cent or more. Another way of setting a target is to benchmark against key business indicators such as kilolitres per tonne of product produced or kilolitres per square metre of property occupied.



6. Develop a conservation strategy
   A conservation strategy needs to use the following principles:
   • Avoid Avoid using water where possible
   • Reduce Where water use cannot be avoided reduce the amount of water used. Reducing leaks is the most cost efficient option to minimise water consumption. Make identifying leaks part of your regular maintenance program.
   • Reuse If you can’t reduce the amount of water being used in a process try to use that water more than once.
   • Recycle Seek an alternative water source such as treated wastewater from another process or treated wastewater effluent where health guidelines allow.


7. Involve your employees
   Behavioural change will lead to sustainable water savings. Increase water conservation awareness through signs, newsletters and posters. Tell staff why and how they can help both your business and the environment by saving water. Hold a competition to generate water-saving ideas and reward staff for doing the right thing.

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