Water Audit

What is a Water Audit and Why Do You Need One?

A wide range of plumbing fixtures and appliances contribute to water usage within a commercial or industrial building. From sinks and toilets to showers, irrigation systems, and cooling towers, the complexity of these systems makes it challenging to detect every inefficiency without a thorough evaluation.

Consider the example of a running toilet. A single-running toilet can waste hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water daily. Multiply that by the number of toilets in your building, and water wastage quickly becomes significant. If left unaddressed, it can lead to unnecessary expenses and contribute to environmental strain.

Unfortunately for facility managers, the challenge lies in identifying these inefficiencies, especially when hidden or occur in less frequently accessed building areas. Many leaks or malfunctions may go unnoticed until a high water bill arrives or major damage ensues. This is where a comprehensive water audit becomes invaluable.

What is a Water Audit?

A water audit is a comprehensive assessment and analysis of water usage and efficiency within a building. It involves the detailed examination of water supply systems, consumption patterns, and water-related equipment to identify potential areas of water waste, leaks, and inefficiencies. The audit typically includes an evaluation of water meters, fixtures, irrigation systems, cooling towers, and other water-intensive processes, aiming to identify opportunities for conservation, cost reduction, and sustainability. By conducting a water audit, property and facility managers can gain a deeper understanding of their water usage patterns, implement targeted water conservation measures, improve water management practices, and ultimately achieve significant water and cost savings while promoting environmental stewardship.

The Benefits of a Water Audit

Unlock Water Savings

One of the key benefits of a water audit is significant water savings. From leaking pipes and faucets to inefficient equipment and processes, water audits pinpoint areas of water waste and inefficiency by thoroughly assessing water usage patterns and infrastructure. By implementing the recommended changes, businesses can effectively reduce water consumption, resulting in substantial cost savings on water bills over time.

Elevate Your Green Credentials

In an era where environmental responsibility is increasingly valued, a water audit can help drive businesses toward their sustainability goals. By actively contributing to water conservation efforts, businesses demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices and reducing their carbon footprint.

Uncover Hidden Leaks

Water audits are instrumental in proactively locating hidden leaks within a building’s water infrastructure. Undetected leaks can result in significant water loss, increased water bills and potential property damage. Using specialized tools and techniques, water audits can identify leaks that may not be immediately visible or apparent. Addressing these leaks promptly helps minimize water loss, reduce unnecessary expenses, and prevent potential property damage.

Improve Tenant Satisfaction

A water audit can positively impact tenant satisfaction by ensuring a reliable water supply and enhancing overall comfort. Addressing issues such as low water pressure or plumbing malfunctions through a water audit improves the overall quality of the water system. By proactively identifying and resolving these issues, businesses provide tenants with a more comfortable living or working environment. Enhanced tenant satisfaction leads to increased retention rates, positive word-of-mouth, and a reputation for providing excellent facilities and services.

Ensure Regulatory Adherence

Adhering to water-related regulations and standards is crucial for businesses to avoid potential fines, penalties, and legal complications. By assessing water systems, fixtures, and processes through a water audit, companies can demonstrate their commitment to sustainable water practices, ensure accurate compliance reporting, and mitigate legal risks.

Preserve Asset Value

By identifying areas of inefficiency, addressing leaks, and optimizing water usage, businesses can extend the lifespan of their water infrastructure. Proactive measures based on the audit’s recommendations help minimize premature replacements and costly repairs. By preserving the value of water-related assets, businesses can allocate their resources more effectively, maintain a sustainable operation, and enhance the long-term value of their property or facility.

How Does a Water Audit Work?

While the specific steps of a water audit may vary based on the facility and scope, the following are the general stages of a Connected Sensors water audit:

1. Historical Consumption and Billing Analysis

The first step of the water audit involves a detailed analysis of your historical water consumption data and billing records. This analysis considers factors such as occupancy rates and unit types to understand your water usage patterns comprehensively. Based on this analysis, tailored strategies and recommendations are developed to maximize efficiency and optimize water consumption. For portfolio managers, a thorough portfolio review identifies inefficient assets and offers expert guidance to enhance your water leak detection system.

2. Assessment and Solution Design

This step involves a comprehensive assessment of your building’s infrastructure. A representative sample of your water consumption and leak rate is measured, typically 10% of the total unit count, to accurately represent your building’s water profile. This data is a basis for estimating potential savings by implementing a Smart Water System. By analyzing your building’s water usage patterns and leak profiles, customized solutions can be designed to improve efficiency and reduce water wastage.

3. Infrastructure Audit and Monitoring Device Installation

During this phase, an in-depth audit of your building’s infrastructure is conducted using innovative technologies such as a smart flow meter to identify potential issues and areas for improvement. For example, Connected Sensors installs the Water Monkey, a proprietary smart water flow meter which utilizes AI and machine learning. This device is attached to your building’s water meter and provides real-time monitoring and reporting of your water usage. It offers valuable insights into your building’s water consumption patterns and can detect leaks promptly.

4. Full Scope Technology Installation

Upon analyzing the data collected from the smart water flow meter, any identified leaks are repaired, and outdated plumbing fixtures are replaced with up-to-date, water-efficient alternatives. During this phase, Connected Sensors also installs a smart leak detector called ODEUS. ODEUS can be installed on risers, individual unit water supplies, or specific plumbing fixtures to monitor water usage more granularly, providing targeted data for optimization purposes.

5. 24-Hour Monitoring and Control

You can access real-time water usage data with multiple smart water sensors installed. These devices enable you to quickly and easily detect burst pipes, leaks, irregular usage patterns, and other water consumption issues. By monitoring and controlling your water usage, you can take proactive measures to lower your water bills, conserve water, and mitigate potential risks associated with water-related incidents.

Wrapping Up

Water audits provide property and facility managers with a comprehensive understanding of water usage and offer a roadmap for reducing consumption, saving costs, and promoting sustainable practices. By embracing water audits, real estate companies can play a significant role in responsible water management, environmental stewardship, and long-term sustainability.

Remember, water audits are not just one-time efforts but ongoing initiatives that require commitment, monitoring, and regular improvements. By taking proactive measures to conserve water, businesses can reap the benefits of reduced costs, enhanced reputation, and a positive environmental impact.

Protect Your Property & Your Bottom Line

Find and eliminate water leaks, reduce water bills, and prevent costly water damage with our Commercial Water Audit.