Earth Day is a time when many organizations promote sustainable practices in all aspects of life. Even after Earth Day, you might be asking yourself, where can I start? Consider how much water your operations might be wasting through easy-to-fix leaks and inefficient fixtures. Building owners and corporations can save significant resources and lower operational costs by reducing water waste. Over the past 10 years, the costs of water and wastewater services have risen at a rate well above the consumer price index. Using water efficiently can also reduce the energy associated with heating water. According to McGraw-Hill Construction’s Water Use in Buildings SmartMarket Report, implementing water-efficient practices in commercial buildings can decrease operating costs by approximately 11 percent and energy and water use by 10 and 15 percent, respectively. Here are a few places to get started in developing a comprehensive leak detection and repair program: Measure to manage: There’s an old saying, “you can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Water is no different; a good metering system can help you keep an eye on overall water consumption and specific uses. Have staff monitor meters regularly; install submeters where needed to identify overuse and leaks; and integrating submeters into the central building management […]