Water saving for business

It's important to know how much water your business is using - and saving water means your business is saving money.

Make sure your staff know that saving water is a priority.

Include water conservation policies and procedures in staff training.
Involve staff by providing staff incentives and link water conservation to performance reviews.
Use staff noticeboards, newsletters and emails to share water saving tips. Set water use targets and publish progress updates.
Appoint a ‘water champion’ to keep your business focused on saving water.

Free water audits for businesses

Council will visit and assess your business to identify ways to save water. To arrange a free water audit, contact us

An audit will identify your business water use and costs.

Check your water bills for the past 2 years to see how much water was used, sudden or gradual increases may indicate a leak.
Identify the water intensive areas of your business and ways to save water.
Check for leaks - is the water meter dial moving when no water is being used?

Make sure resources and business commitment are in place to develop a water conservation plan.
Appoint a ‘water manager’ to action the plan and lead the project.
Conduct a water audit.

Use a bucket for cleaning instead of a tap or hose.
Use a broom to clean paths and gutters rather than a hose.
High pressure hoses are water efficient and more effective cleaners than standard hoses.

A commercial sink uses about 40 litres to fill, while a water efficient dishwasher may use as little as 15 litres.
Install water efficient appliances (glass and dishwashers, ice makers, coolers and cleaning equipment).
When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments.
Make sure glass and dishwashers are full before using.
Rinse dishes in a plugged sink or bowl rather than under a running tap.

Retain as much vegetation as possible during construction to reduce evaporation.
Install water efficient irrigation systems.
Use buckets of water for cleaning instead of running water.
Incorporate water saving principles into all aspects of the project. Prepare a water plan that includes efficient appliances and plumbing, water reuse, landscaping and rainwater collection.
Stay up to-date with the latest water conservation designs and appliances.

Be sure your irrigation system is only watering intended areas, not flowing onto footpaths and roads.
Check your irrigation system regularly for leaks and broken sprinkler heads and adjust pressures to specification.
Subirrigation or drip irrigation systems can produce water savings of up to 75% compared to overhead sprinklers. If you do have overhead sprinklers, fix water efficient nozzles.
Set up wind breaks to cut down on water loss due to evaporation.
Ensure nursery irrigation systems meet the standard recommended by the Nursery Industry Association of Australia.
Choose an irrigation system which allows automatic shutdown, moisture sensors, and can apply water at different rates.
Look for ways to recycle water - for example, rooftops and runoff are a good source of irrigation water.

Commercial laundries, hotels and aged care facilities use large volumes of water with potential for significant water and cost savings.
Older commercial washing machines use a lot more water than new machines. Initial replacement costs may be higher, but significant water and cost savings will be made over the life of the machine.
Install a system to divert waste water for irrigation.
Ensure boilers, pumps, chillers and water heaters are used properly, shut down when not in use, and maintained to prevent leaks, steam or condensation.
Create a system where guests can choose to keep their towels and bed linen more than one night, reducing the amount of laundry.
Use a linen service that uses water recycling and sustainable business practices.