Water is a vital necessity for every household, condo, commercial and industrial property. Yet, inefficient plumbing fixtures, unseen leaks and old water systems may be the cause of avoidable water usage and increased costs. It is crucial for the property owner to improve the efficiency of water usage in order to achieve responsible management of the property.
The proper water saving measures can assist in avoiding the unnecessary water usage without giving up daily convenience or functionality. Whether it is replacement of water fixtures or discovery of plumbing inefficiency, some improvements may prove to be helpful over time.
If you need a reputable water saving company in Ontario, you should choose WCC Water Conservation Company Ltd. as your water management provider.
What Are Water Saving Solutions?
Water-saving solutions refer to products, equipment, and maintenance techniques which help minimize wastage of water. They may involve the installation of efficient plumbing equipment, water audits, water leakages, efficient water management systems, and inspections.
In contrast to focusing on individual actions alone, water conservation entails the use of an integrated system where an entire structure’s water usage is taken into consideration. A multi-residential complex building, for instance, has hundreds of faucets, toilets, showers, and water connections. Efficiency in such cases helps identify ways through which water usage may be minimized.
Some common water conservation techniques include:
- Installation of efficient plumbing equipment such as water-efficient faucets and showerheads.
- Replacement of old and inefficient toilets.
- Repairing of any leaking valves, pipes, and plumbing connections.
- Water audits and inspections.
- Identification of abnormal water usage.
- Maintenance of plumbing equipment for optimum performance.
The choice of the solution varies according to the property’s plumbing system, water usage pattern, and maintenance needs.
Why Are Water-Saving Fixtures Important?
The fixtures designed for conserving water are made to perform the usual tasks while utilizing water in an efficient manner. They are particularly helpful in properties that require a lot of water use regularly or on a continuous basis, such as condominiums, apartment buildings, hotels, offices and commercial buildings.
Selection of efficient fixtures helps the property managers overcome the following three issues:
- Cut down Excessive Water Consumption
Traditional or poorly maintained fixtures can consume more water than needed. Efficient fixtures help keep a check on the flow of water while maintaining efficiency.
For instance, selection of appropriate faucet aerators will help minimize the quantity of water being flowed from the tap. Water conserving shower heads and toilets are also helpful in saving water whenever applicable.
- Better Management of the Property
A building containing numerous units is likely to have water wastage from many places. Efficient fixtures, regular inspection and maintenance help the managers of buildings become systematic about the water consumption issue.
- Contributes to Controlling Operating Costs
By reducing unnecessary water consumption, one can reduce costs related to water. When hot water is considered, reduced water use will also translate into savings when heating the water.
The extent of savings will depend on existing water consumption patterns, selected fixtures, quality of installations, utility rates in the area and equipment use.
Types of Water-Saving Fixtures
Selection of appropriate equipment is one of the components of a realistic water saving strategy. Below is a list of common fixtures to consider when working on such strategy.
Water-Efficient Faucets and Faucet Aeration Devices
Faucets are widely used in kitchens, washrooms and utility rooms. Installation of proper aerators and water-efficient faucets can be useful in controlling flow while limiting unnecessary water consumption.
In selecting equipment, pay attention to such characteristics as flow rate, purpose of the appliance, needs of the user and compatibility with plumbing in the building.
Water-Efficient Toilets and Toilet Fixtures
Toilets can be a significant source of indoor water consumption especially in large residential and commercial buildings. Water-efficient toilets allow reducing water consumption per flush.
Replacing the whole fixture might not always be the first thing to do. The fill valve might be defective, the flush valve could be worn, and running continuously could be another cause. Inspections and repairs of these faulty fixtures could be a good place to start.
Learn more about our repair of toilet parts services.
Water-Conserving Plumbing Fixtures
Water-conserving plumbing fixtures ensure that water conservation does not come at the expense of performance. These fixtures could consist of water-efficient faucets, showers, toilets, and other plumbing parts depending on the particular property.
However, before implementing any upgrade, the property owner should evaluate factors such as pressure and condition of the pipework to determine if those fixtures will achieve the desired result.
Water-saving equipment for larger properties
For large properties, upgrading of water fixtures alone might not be enough. Other measures like installation of equipment and systems, and preventive maintenance can help gain better insight into how water is consumed.
For properties with more than one unit, wireless water sub-metering might prove helpful in getting additional information on water consumption, depending on the setup used.
Find out more about wireless water sub-metering at WCC.
Tips for Selecting the Best Water Conservation Company
Selecting a water conservation company is a critical step for property owners, condominium boards, and facility managers. The ideal company should comprehend your property needs and suggest realistic measures instead of presenting cookie-cutter solutions.
The following are a few factors that you need to consider when selecting a provider:
- Offered services: It is advisable to select a provider with experience in water audit, plumbing fixtures, leaks prevention, and water management systems suitable for your property.
- Relevant recommendations: Different types of buildings require varied levels of water. Recommendations should take into account the building requirements.
- Maintenance and reliability: Water conservation is not a one-time job. Regular inspections and repairs can assist in maintaining performance and prevent future issues.
- Good communication skills: The facility manager should be well acquainted with the recommended changes, their importance, and performance measurement.
Local knowledge: It can be more beneficial for a provider to have local experience with buildings in Toronto and Ontario.
WCC Water Conservation Company Ltd. offers property owners and managers water conservation and water management services. Learn more about the company’s water audits and inspections.
Water Conservation for Properties in Toronto and Ontario
It is beneficial for property owners in Toronto and other areas in Ontario to check the water consumption and find opportunities to increase efficiency.
Qualified commercial, industrial and institutional customers can find water efficiency resources in the Capacity Buyback Program offered by the City of Toronto. There are eligibility requirements and conditions. Learn more about the water efficiency and building resources in the City of Toronto.
A water conservation strategy could include:
- Analyzing water bills and consumption information.
- Checking the plumbing fixtures and connections for possible leaks.
- Finding out whether there is old or inefficient equipment.
- Deciding whether water audits or sub-metering will be needed.
Determining priority of changes according to water consumption, equipment condition and potential results.
Analyzing consumption after making changes.
In this way, property managers can make informed decisions instead of assuming where water is wasted.
Begin with examining often-used fixtures for any leaks, drips and inefficient operations. Check washrooms, kitchens, laundries and mechanical rooms where water fixtures and plumbing equipment might need some periodic attention.
The next step will include comparing the amount of water being used with those in previous periods when there was data to compare.
Finally, choose appropriate upgrades that would work for your property. Smaller properties might require more efficient faucets and timely repairs, while bigger multi-residential properties will need inspections, sub-metering and maintenance.
The idea is not to save water at any price, but to use it in an efficient manner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best ways to conserve water for commercial buildings?
Some possible ways include using efficient faucets, proper low-flow fixtures, repairing toilets, detecting leaks, conducting water audits, and measuring water consumption. What would work best depends on the specific features of the building and its current water consumption.
What is the difference between water saving fixtures and water conserving fixtures?
These two types of fixtures are usually used interchangeably. They both refer to fixtures that use water in an efficient manner while still being able to perform their respective functions. It is the specifications of the products that matter, rather than what they are called.
How do I contact a water conservation company in Ontario?
You should look for a company that offers services applicable to your specific building needs, makes reasonable recommendations, has proper technical experience, and understands the concepts of water efficiency. WCC Water Conservation Company Ltd. specializes in water conservation in Toronto and Ontario.
How can you detect water wastage by your property?
Study your water bills and other data on water usage, look at your fixtures and plumbing systems, and seek out any discrepancies in usage.
Incorporate Water Conservation Strategies Into Your Property Management Strategy
The first step in conserving water effectively is knowing how water is being used in the property. Using efficient fixtures, making necessary repairs, conducting inspections, and adequate monitoring will aid you in achieving this objective.
Whether you are managing a condominium, an apartment building, a commercial building, or any other kind of property, approaching water conservation systematically will assist you in making wise decisions concerning water efficiency.
WCC Water Conservation Company Ltd. can help you conserve water in Toronto and elsewhere in Ontario with practical service for property owners and managers.
Looking for ways to save water in your property?
Contact WCC Water Conservation Company Ltd. to find out about our services.