Water efficiency for commercial businesss
Water-saving opportunities for retail stores, restaurants, and other commercial properties.
Some commercial properties may be stand alone while others may be part of a plaza unit. These multi-unit properties may consist of one water meter and one water bill for multiple units.
Leaks are one of the top reasons for high water bills and performing regular property inspections can help prevent this. Your water bill can also be reduced if inefficient water use equipment is replaced with water efficient models.
Other information
Since costs and savings are dependent on level of usage, all values are approximate.
Walk-in fridge, freezer unit, or condenser
Replace your water-cooled unit or condenser with an air-cooled or more water-efficient model.
- Money saved per year: $2,600
- One-time investment cost: $3,000
- Water saved per year: 850 m3
Ice machine
Replace your water cooled condenser with an air-cooled unit.
- Money saved per year: $1,220
- One-time investment cost: $3,900
- Water saved per year: 390 m3
Commercial toilet flush valve or bowl combo (or both)
Replace a non-WaterSense labelled flushometer-valve toilet with a WaterSense unit.
- Money saved per year: $845
- One-time investment cost: $450
- Water saved per year: 270 m3
Urinal unit
Replace a non-WaterSense labelled urinal with a WaterSense unit or waterless unit.
- Money saved per year: $53
- One-time investment cost: $470
- Water saved per year: 17 m3
Pre-rinse spray valve
Replace a non-WaterSense labelled pre-rinse spray valve with a WaterSense unit.
- Money saved per year: $85
- One-time investment cost: $270
- Water saved per year: 27 m3
Dipper well
Install a dipper well faucet that has a flow rate of less than 0.95 Lpm (litres per minute).
- Money saved per year: $2,300
- One-time investment cost: $270
- Water saved per year: 27 m3
Waterless wok
Replace water-using wok with a waterless unit.
- Money saved per year: $5,700
- One-time investment cost: $3,300
- Water saved: 1825 m3 per year
Dental vacuum pump
Replace a liquid ring dental vacuum pump with one that does not use water to create suction.
- Money saved per year: $1,950
- One-time investment cost: $5,620
- Water saved per year: 625 m3 per year
Investing in water-reducing measures helped Dun-Kir Convenience, Dhaba restaurant, and the Mandarin restaurant save thousands of dollars. (All values are rounded up and ROI is based on the year’s rates when changes were implemented.)
Dun-Kir Convenience
Annual water-cost savings: $2,700
In 2017, Dun-Kir Convenience invested $4,000 for a water-cooled compressor replaced with air-cooled unit.
This investment resulted in 3,440 L of water saved per day with an ROI of only 17 months.
Dhaba restaurant
Annual water-cost savings: $4,200
In 2020, Dhaba invested $5,600 for a freezer and cooler condensing unit replacement.
This investment resulted in 5,000 L of water saved per day with an ROI of only 17 months.
The Mandarin restaurant
Annual water-cost savings: $2,000
In 2018, The Mandarin invested $7,100 for an ice cream freezer replacement.
This investment resulted in 2,500 L of water saved per day with an ROI of 3.5 years.
- WaterSense Labeled Products are water-efficient products that can help you save water, lower your water bill, and protect the environment.
- Partners in Project Green is committed to helping businesses turn sustainable practices into bottom-line results. Join the community today.
The Commercial Kitchens Water Use Efficiency and Best Practices Guide is a guide to help you with improving water efficiency in commercial kitchen operations.
To receive an electronic copy, contact us.
