General Suggestions

• Increase employee awareness of water conservation.
• Seek employee suggestions on water conservation; locate suggestion boxes in prominent areas.
• Conduct contests for employees (e.g., posters, slogans, or conservation ideas).
• Determine other methods of water conservation.
• Install signs encouraging water conservation in employee and customer restrooms.
• When cleaning with water is necessary, use budgeted amounts.
• Read water meter weekly to monitor success of water conservation efforts.
• Assign an employee to monitor water use and waste.
• Determine the quantity and purpose of water being used.
• Install signs encouraging water conservation in patient and nonpatient rooms and restrooms.
• Use paper cups for drinking water instead of free-flowing drinking fountains.

Building Maintenance

• Check water supply system for leaks and turn off any unnecessary flows.
• Repair dripping faucets, showers and continuously running or leaking toilets.
• Reduce the water used in toilet flushing by either adjusting the vacuum flush mechanism or installing toilet tank displacement devices (dams, bottles, or bags).
• Install flow reducers and faucet aerators in all plumbing fixtures whenever possible. As fixtures wear out, replace them with water saving models.
• Shut off water supply to equipment and rooms not in use.
• Discontinue water circulation pumping in unoccupied areas.
• Ensure return of steam condensate to the feed water tank for re- use.
• Shut off spray coil units, except where humidity in critical areas cannot be maintained by other means or where the units are used to reduce chiller operation.
• Keep hot water pipes insulated.
• Avoid excessive boiler and air conditioner blow down. Monitor total dissolved solids levels and blow down only when needed.
• Minimize the water used in cooling equipment, such as air compressors, in accordance with the manufacturer recommendations.

Cafeteria and Kitchen Areas

• Turn off the continuous flow used to clean the drain trays of the coffee/milk/soda beverage island.
• Turn dishwasher off when not in use. Wash full loads only.
• Use water from steam tables to wash down cooking area.
• Do not use running water to melt ice or frozen foods. If necessary, use ponded water.
• Use water-conserving ice makers.
• Provide table signs in cafeteria urging water conservation.
• Wash vegetables in ponded water; do not let water run in preparation sink.
• Recycle rinse water from the dishwater.

Laundry Facilities

• Reprogram machines to eliminate a rinse or suds cycle, if possible, and not restricted by health regulations.
• Reduce water levels, where possible, to minimize water required per load of washing.
• Wash full loads only.
• Evaluate wash formula and machine cycles for water use efficiency.

Operations

• Turn off water required for film processing or cooling in the X-ray department when not in use.
• Recycle water where feasible, consistent with state and county requirements.
• Use full loads in sanitizer, sterilizer, dishwasher, and washing machine consistent with infection control requirements.
• Overhaul faulty steam traps on sterilizers.
• As appliances or fixtures wear out, replace with water-saving models.
• Reduce the load on air conditioning units by shutting off air conditioning when and where it is not needed.
• Recover condensate from air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, and ice machines; use it as make-up water.

Exterior Areas

• Inventory outdoor water use for landscaped areas.
• Do not water landscape every day; two-to-three times a week is usually sufficient.
• Wash autos, buses, and trucks less often.
• Discontinue using water to clean sidewalks, driveways, loading docks, and parking lots.
• Consider using brooms or motorized sweepers.
• Stop hosing down sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots.
• Wash autos, buses, and trucks less often.
• Avoid plant fertilizing and pruning that would stimulate excessive growth.
• Remove unhealthy plants so remaining plants can benefit from the water saved.
• In many cases, older, established plants require only infrequent irrigation. Look for indications of water need, such as wilt, change of color, or dry soils.
• Install soil moisture overrides or timers on sprinkler systems. Time watering, when possible, to occur in the early morning or evening when evaporation is lowest.
• Irrigation equipment should apply water uniformly.
• Investigate the advantages of installing drip irrigation systems.
• Mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and discourage weeds.
• Remove thatch and aerate turf to encourage the movement of water to the root zone.
• Avoid runoff and make sure sprinklers cover just the lawn or garden, not sidewalks, driveways, or gutters.
• Do not water on windy days. 

For More Information
For more information, contact the Water Supply Program at 410-537-3702 or water.supply@maryland.gov​