Report Suggests California Businesses Could Save Enough Water to Supply Major Cities

A new report, “Making Every Drop Work: Increasing Water Efficiency in California’s Commercial, Industrial and Institutional (CII) Sector,” by the Natural Resources Defense Council— California’s commercial, industrial and institutional (CII) sector— reveals that the state has the tools to save more than enough water to meet the annual needs of Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego combined. California’s CII sector is responsible for one-third of urban water use, which means it is essential for this sector to progress in water reduction to meet the state’s goal of 20% reduction in per capita water use by 2020, originally passed in February 2008.

Major findings in the report include:
• Landscaping, such as at office parks, schools, parks and street medians, is responsible for one-third of the CII sector’s water use. But with smart irrigation controllers that adjust for weather conditions, commercial-sized landscapes can reduce water use by 40% to 50%; and
• Restrooms are responsible for 15% of CII water use. But low-flow showerheads, which can be purchased in bulk for $5 to $12 each, can save 2 to 3.5 gal of water per shower, and more efficient toilets and urinals could save 35,000 to 64,000 gal per year.

The report is available here.

Source: Environmental Business Journal