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ENVIRONMENTAL CODE OF PRACTICE

Water Efficiency Initiatives

Check for leaks in toilet cisterns; put a couple of drops of food colouring into the cistern to see if the seal at the bottom of the tank leaks
Put a cistern displacement device in toilets to reduce water consumption. This could be a 1-litre plastic bottle filled with water or a ceramic brick placed in the toilet cistern.
Set up procedures to check the water system regularly
Train and remind staff to report any leaks or faulty equipment immediately; a dripping tap can waste up to 36,000 litres of water per year. Make staff aware of the costs of water and the benefits to being more water efficient
Change cleaning practices to minimise the water used, for example, filling buckets and bowls rather than using running water
Use the recommended amount of cleaning products – no more!
Water outdoor plants in the evening to minimise water loss through evaporation

Install toilets with a dual-flush facility, with instructions clearly marked. These use only 6 litres of waters as opposed to 10 litres for the conventional toilet
Install urinals with flush controllers or waterless (these can save around 65,000 litres of water a year per urinal)
Install tap aerators wherever possible (reducing amount of water used by up to 80%) and water-saver shower heads typically halving flow rate for the same perception of a power-shower
Installation of automatic shutoff taps or timing devices will prevent water loss from people forgetting to turn the tap off. Likewise coin operated showers will also limit water usage
Flow restrictors on taps will also limit the amount of water discharged when the tap is fully open
Fit plugs into basins to encourage users to fill the basin rather than use running water – captive plugs will prevent plugs disappearing
Install photoelectric systems in communal areas to cut off water when not in use, they have been proven to bring significant reductions in water consumption
Cover water tanks to prevent evaporation
Adjust thermal and/or pressure controls to optimise water temperatures and flow rates
Install trigger devices on all hoses to provide automatic shutoff

The following options require greater investment but should be considered, especially in the construction of a new building:

Rainwater harvesting systems collect rainwater from roofs or large paved areas such as car parks. The collected water can then be used for toilet flushing or vehicle washing. However, just collecting rainwater in water butts can reduce the need for mains supply water when watering external plants and washing down vehicles.
Washroom control systems not only limit hot and cold water supply, but also control lighting and ventilation, therefore providing additional energy savings
Grey water recycling involves using wastewater from washroom basins and showers and using it for flushing toilets or outside watering. In an office it will account for more than 35% of water use. Grey water from showers and hand basins is usually clean enough for flushing the toilet with only basic disinfectant or microbiological treatment. Problems can arise, however, when the warm, nutrient-rich grey water is stored, since it quickly deteriorates and bacteria multiply. There is also a reduction in sewage volume as a consequence of using grey water systems. For those who pay for mains drainage, a reduction in sewerage charges may be negotiable with their sewerage authority