Issue No. 15
23 July 2014
Be water wise
T
here are many ways you and your colleagues can save water in the office. Simple actions such as encouraging all colleagues to turn off taps, and introducing a maintenance scheme to fix leaking taps can all add up to big water and cost savings in the workplace. Here are some tips to save water: •
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Do not leave the water running when washing your hands. Encourage staff not to leave the tap running while they are washing their hands. Use posters on the mirror as a reminder. Do not use toilets for rubbish disposal. Put rubbish in the bin instead of in the toilet. This will help save water and reducing problems with the wastewater system. Use left-over drinking water from meetings. If you have water in jugs or glasses left-over from meetings, use it to water office plants. Encourage your colleagues to save water. Stick posters in high water usage areas to remind people how they can save water in the office.
Meanwhile, reducing water use inside your home is as simple as turning off the faucet. Here are some other simple tips that will help you use water more efficiently and save money on your water bill: • • • • •
Buy water-saving devices like high-efficiency toilets and clothes washers. Fix household leaks promptly. Spend only five minutes in the shower. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth. Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes.
Up to 70% of your annual water use is outside your home – watering your lawn and garden, and keeping your property clean. Landscaping with native and drought-
tolerant plants, and following these simple tips will help you use water more efficiently: • • • • •
Check your sprinkler system for leaks, overspray, and broken sprinkler heads and repair promptly. Install a smart sprinkler controller that adjusts watering based on weather, soil type, amount of shade, and plant type. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. Water your lawn one to two days a week instead of five days a week. Water your plants in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation and ineffective watering due to wind.
Sources: • https://www.watercorporation.com.au/Home/Residential/ Save%20water/Water%20saving%20tips/In%20the%20office • http://www.bewaterwise.com/ Conservation_Materials.html
Published by the Knowledge Management and Information Service (KMIS) for the DTI ENERCON Management Team in support of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program. If you have Enercon tips to share, other suggestions or requested topics, please e-mail us at publications@dti.gov.ph.