If you follow me on IG Story, you probably know that I went to the Singapore World Water Day last weekend at Marina Barrage. I must say it was quite an eye-opener. It’s very encouraging to see people of all ages and walks of life came together to make it happen.

What stood out to me were the schools and businesses. Because you see, we often see saving water as an individual, daily habit kind of thing. At least I did. Yet, we also wonder whether that little bit we do every day is enough. Am I making a difference?

Although I’ve always thought of myself as an environmentally friendly person, I’ve never given much thought to saving water. I mean, sure, I  do the usual run the washing machine only when there’s a full load, rinse mouth using a mug instead of letting the tap flows while brushing teeth and generally turn the tap off as soon as we are done. But seeing businesses like Levi’s, MacDonalds and Food Panda taking part, made me think of how I could do my part in saving water as a business owner.

I did some reading and these are some of the steps I’ll be implementing at work. Please join me because shortages of fresh water would be one of the most pressing environmental concerns in the next 50 years.

Get a water audit

First thing first, find out how much is our current water usage. Just like any project, tracking our progress is important to know if we’re doing the right thing and it’s also a form of motivation when we see results. Don’t let the word audit scares you. It really only requires you to take a meter reading and find out what’s your current water usage before you start, check for leaks within the premises, adopt water-saving habits (more on that later) and retake meter reading and revel in delight on how far you’ve come!

Companies that use massive amounts of water could consider getting professional help in reducing their water consumption. A commercial water audit examines how much water a business uses and provides detailed information on where opportunities lie for using less water and saving money.

Repair leaks promptly

This one is a no-brainer. See leaks and dripping taps? Repair it as soon as the-plumber-could-come-over-possible. I read that leaks are bad for feng shui too, especially when you’re in business. It’s akin to money consistently flowing away. So get it fixed ASAP!

Low flow and half flush

I have dual flow flushes at home and I really am considering installing one for the toilet at the office too, or at least convincing my landlord to do so. Haha!

You see, older toilets use nearly 19 litres of water per flush, while newer high-efficiency ones use 2. Also, if you’re only doing a pee, half flush uses half the amount of water. Considering the amount of time we go to the toilet in a day and over time, this adds up!

If you’re a restauranteur or run an F&B business where you do lots of washing and dirty dish rinsing, switching to low-flow spray valves can save you a lot of water and money in the long run.

Purchase water-efficient equipment

Some businesses consume more water than others. But various types of equipment are now available in water-efficient models. They may have somewhat higher upfront costs but can pay for themselves quickly through water and water-heating energy savings. Companies in Singapore could also tap on PUB’s Water Efficiency Fund to implement water-saving measures to become more water efficient in their daily operations,

Educate clients

In my business where I personally don’t consume a lot of water, I think I can help by advising my clients to be more water efficient. You see, I help parents set up baby nurseries and prepare them for the arrival of their babies. And if you’re a parent, you’d know that when there’s a baby, there will be a lot more washing to be done. Choosing an energy and water saving washing machine to tackle that mountain of cloth diapers, baby clothing, burp cloth and bedding is a good long-term investment.

Also, many think that cloth diaper is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than disposable diapers. In my opinion, that may not be entirely true. WIth cloth diapers, you actually have to consume more energy and water washing it after every use. Also, cloth diapers soaked with pee and poo stink if you leave it unwashed. So many parents would wash at half load. While it’s a personal choice, I’m all for disposable diapers and its convenience.

Engage and inform employees

This is where it makes a difference to be water conscious as a business owner. Every employee plays a role in water usage, so educating my employees of water conservation strategies and getting them involved is crucial. I’m thinking maybe I could ask for their ideas on how to save water – you do know how asking someone for their ideas is the best way to get them onboard of your agenda, right?

So what are some ideas you have for saving water as a business? Hahaha! ;D

Save water starts with me!

And take the I SAVE water pledge and start doing your part in conserving water. Because every drop counts!