Industries

Please note that these suggested measures are not intended to supercede more stringent state, tribal, or local health and safety regulations.

General Practices
  • Appoint a water efficiency coordinator.
  • Educate and involve employees in water efficiency efforts.
Equipment
  • As equipment wears out, replace with water saving models.
  • Install high-pressure, low-volume nozzles on spray washers.
  • Install inline strainers on all spray headers and inspect nozzles regularly for clogging.
  • Install ultra-low flow toilets, adjust flush valves, or install dams on existing toilets.
  • Replace high-volume hoses with high-pressure, low-volume cleaning systems.
Practices
  • Adjust flow in sprays and other lines to meet minimum requirements.
  • Adjust overflows from recirculation systems by controlling the rate at which make-up water is added:
    • Install float-controlled valve on the make-up line
    • Close filling line during operation
    • Provide surge tanks for each system to avoid overflow.
  • Detect and repair all leaks.
  • Discontinue using water to clean sidewalks, driveways, loading docks, and parking lots.
  • Handle waste materials in a dry mode where possible.
  • Identify discharges that may be reused and implement reuse practices. Some discharges with potential for reuse are:
    • Boiler makeup
    • Bottle and can soak and rinse water
    • cooler flush water, filter backwash
    • Equipment cleaning
    • Final rinses from tank cleaning, keg washers, fermenters
    • Final rinses in wash cycles
    • Floor and gutter wash
    • Pasteurizer and sterilizer water
    • Refrigeration equipment defrost
  • Turn off all flows during shutdowns. Use solenoid valves to stop the flow of water when production stops.
  • Use fogging nozzles to cool products.
  • Wash vehicles less often, or use a commercial car wash that recycles water.