Sustainable Operations - Water in the Built Environment Sustainable Operations Summit 2008 Sarah H. Baker

World View of Water 97% 2.5% frozen 0.5%

World View For high-income countries, water use is:For high-income countries, water use is: –30% Agricultural –59% Industrial –11% Domestic Source: World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Water Facts and Trends, 2005.

World View Industrial UseIndustrial Use –power plants –ore and oil refineries –manufacturing plants 1 World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Water Facts and Trends, 2005.

World View Source: World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Water Facts and Trends, Per capita, gallons

Federal Government Uses billion gallons of water annually (equal to water use of Michigan)Uses billion gallons of water annually (equal to water use of Michigan) Requires 138 billion BTUs of energy to process and use water (98% used to heat water)Requires 138 billion BTUs of energy to process and use water (98% used to heat water) Could conserve 40% of water102.4 billion gallons annually with moderate efforts (enough water for Iowa)Could conserve 40% of water102.4 billion gallons annually with moderate efforts (enough water for Iowa) Source: Federal Energy Management Program 250,000,000,000 gallons 138,000,000,000 BTUs 102,400,000,000 gallons

Federal Directives EO Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy and Transportation ManagementEO Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy and Transportation Management –reduce water consumption intensity through life-cycle cost-effective measures by 2 % annually through the end of fiscal year 2015 (16% total) Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA)Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA)

Implementation Assess and PrioritizeAssess and Prioritize Implement stategies through EMSImplement stategies through EMS Engineering practices = Changing fixtures Engineering practices = Changing fixtures Behavioral practices = Changing attitudes Behavioral practices = Changing attitudes Monitor progressMonitor progress

Residential Water Use Source: 1999 Aquacraft, Inc. and American Water Works Association Research Foundation

Assess and Prioritize Water audits (10% of buildings/year)Water audits (10% of buildings/year) –Required by EO Instructions –Part of our facilities inspections –Use life-cycle cost analysis Outdoor water ~60% of water useOutdoor water ~60% of water use Bathroom ~45% of indoor water useBathroom ~45% of indoor water use Leaks ~6% of water useLeaks ~6% of water use

Implement Strategies Use national Environmental Management System (EMS) to define Action PlansUse national Environmental Management System (EMS) to define Action Plans Continual improvement of performance through EMS feedback loopsContinual improvement of performance through EMS feedback loops

Outdoor Water Use Climate-appropriate landscapesClimate-appropriate landscapes Water-efficient irrigation systemsWater-efficient irrigation systems Vehicle wash systemsVehicle wash systems –If every car owner in the US who washes a car at home went to a water-recycling car wash for the next wash, the savings would total more than 4 billion gallons Alternate water sourcesAlternate water sources

Alternate Water Sources Rainwater harvesting systemRainwater harvesting system –Capture (roof and gutters) –Storage (barrels or tanks) –Delivery (pipes, pumps, and valves) DetailsDetails –Cost $500 - $10,000+ –Depends on rainfall and desired use –Properly size pipe, tank, and pump

Alternate Water Sources Example: 10 rain/year (NM)10 rain/year (NM) 5000 ft 2 office5000 ft 2 office 31,000 gallons water/year31,000 gallons water/year Example: 35 rain/year (TX)35 rain/year (TX) 5000 ft 2 office5000 ft 2 office 109,000 gallons water/year109,000 gallons water/year (at 50 gallons per car wash, this is 2180 carwashes!)(at 50 gallons per car wash, this is 2180 carwashes!)

Engineering Practices Fixtures (bathroom) ToiletToilet Low-flow showerheadsLow-flow showerheads Faucet aeratorsFaucet aerators Low-flush toilets yrs. cost recoveryLow-flush toilets yrs. cost recovery Displacement device - 1 to 2 gal. per flushDisplacement device - 1 to 2 gal. per flush InexpensiveInexpensive Reduce indoor water use by ~6% eachReduce indoor water use by ~6% each InexpensiveInexpensive Reduces faucet water use by up to 60%Reduces faucet water use by up to 60%

Engineering Practices Leak detection Leaks are 5.5% of water useLeaks are 5.5% of water use Potential for major property damagePotential for major property damage

Behavioral Practices Indoor water use What to do: How much is saved: Turn off the water when brushing teeth 3 gallons per day Shorten showers by one or two minutes 5 gallons per day Fix leaky faucets 20 gallons per day Wash only full loads of laundry 15 and 50 gallons per load

Outdoor water use What to do: How much is saved: Water before 8 a.m. to reduce evaporation and interference from wind 25 gallons per day Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks 150 gallons each time Check sprinkler system for leaks, overspray and broken sprinkler heads. 500 gallons a month Behavioral Practices

Questions?