A list of water saving tips for laundry and linen suppliers:

General Suggestions

• Increase employee awareness of water conservation.
• Conduct contests for employees (e.g., posters, slogans, or conservation ideas.)
• Seek employee suggestions on water conservation; locate suggestion boxes in prominent areas.
• Install signs in employee and customer restrooms encouraging water conservation.
• 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. Determine other methods of water conservation.
• As appliances and fixtures wear out, replace with water-saving models.

Building Maintnance

• Reduce the load on air conditioning units by shutting off air conditioning when and where it is not needed.
• 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).
• As appliances or fixtures wear out, replace them with water-saving models.
• Shut off water supply to equipment rooms not in use.
• Keep hot water pipes insulated.
• Avoid excessive boiler and air conditioner blow down. Monitor total dissolved solids levels and blow down only when needed.
• Install flow reducers and faucet aerators in all plumbing fixtures whenever possible.
  Avoid excessive filter or softener back flush. Back flush only when needed.

Operations

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

Exterior Areas

• Inventory outdoor water use for landscaped areas.
• Water landscapes only when needed; two-to-three times a week is usually sufficient.
• Make sure water does not run into the gutters, streets, or alleys.
• Use controllers on sprinkler systems.
• Wash autos, buses, and trucks less often.
• Do not water on windy days.
• Time watering, when possible, to occur in the early morning or evening when evaporation is lowest.

For More Information
For more information contact the Water Supply Program at 410-537-3589 or water.supply@maryland.gov.​