Businesses often look at sustainability through the lens of energy use, emissions, waste, and renewable power, while water sustainability receives considerably less attention. Every year, 324 billion cubic meters of freshwater vanish globally. According to the World Bank, that lost supply is enough to support a population of 280 million. 

The major cause? Continental drying, or the gradual loss of freshwater. According to Fan Zhang, lead author of the report, solutions exist but need coordination, investment, and resolve. 

On an individual level, there may not be much you can do about continental drying, but every drop of water still matters. If you’re already taking sustainability seriously, it’s worth assessing how you’re doing on the waterfront. Let’s explore this theme further. 

Start With the Water System You Already Have

Water efficiency begins with understanding how a building’s existing system actually operates. Businesses may install low-flow fixtures and set consumption targets while overlooking problems with pressure, pumps, and distribution. Pressure, for example, plays a major role in how much water gets saved or wasted. 

Consider booster pumps and parts by Grundfos. Some models like the SCALA2 ensure that water pressure is consistent throughout a property. This ensures that you’re not wasting water at outlets where the pressure is high.

Likewise, local weather also matters. If your property is in a warmer region, some water efficiency strategies tend to do better than others. For instance, plumbing fixtures with a high air-water ratio and dual-flush toilets reduce water use by 55%.

Likewise, mechanical ventilation and air conditioning systems that redirect condensed water into cooling tower make-up water create a 38% improvement in MVAC-related water efficiency. 

Looking at these factors together can help identify where water is being used unnecessarily and where relatively straightforward changes could improve efficiency.

Hidden Water Losses Often Stem From Aging Infrastructure

Some of the largest water losses can happen without anyone noticing an obvious leak. For instance, a pump that cycles when there is little demand, damp areas around plumbing, or an unexplained increase in water bills. When these problems occur across a large property, relatively minor losses can accumulate into substantial consumption over time.

Much of this is because America’s water infrastructure is aging and underfunded. Every year, we lose the equivalent of about 50 million Olympic-sized swimming pools of water. The aging infrastructure is a leading culprit of water loss, with 20% or about 450,000 miles of pipe having exceeded their useful lives. These aging pipes require replacement, but funding remains inadequate.

Businesses may not be responsible for public infrastructure, but the same principle applies inside their properties. Old internal pipes and poorly maintained connections can create ongoing losses. Sometimes, this gets exacerbated by factors such as building height. 

A leak somewhere might create low water pressure for the top floors of a property. To fix this, many would get a booster pump as the first solution. However, as 24hr Supply points out, pump upgrades for high-rises or multi-story buildings need some thought. 

The fact is that choosing the right booster pump involves understanding the property it will be installed in. For instance, if the system is oversized, the high pressure can burst washing machine hoses or cause valve failures. 

Pair that with aging pipes, and water wastage can be significant. Thus, ensure you understand your true requirements before making any efficiency upgrades. 

Water Efficiency Should Be Designed Around the Big Picture

As we mentioned earlier, water tends to receive less strategic attention than energy and emissions. According to sustainability consultancy Apex, only 6,500 of the 22,700+ companies scored by the Carbon Disclosure Project received a water security score. Meanwhile, 22,400 scored on climate, which shows that many companies still aren’t putting in effort toward water-related sustainability efforts. 

To be the change, start thinking in broader terms. Fixing leaks and sizing pumps are necessary steps, but real long-term savings require viewing the property as a single, interconnected ecosystem. 

Businesses often stumble by approaching sustainability through fragmented, piecemeal upgrades. In reality, these systems interact constantly, and the most effective solutions depend on the building’s total operational footprint.

A building-wide approach can help businesses identify where water is being consumed unnecessarily and where improvements could have the greatest effect. Looking at these systems together can also reveal problems that may be overlooked when each area is assessed separately.

This is also the more practical way to connect water efficiency with broader sustainability goals. You’ll want to verify how your proposed changes will interact with other sustainability efforts you have in place. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can a business conduct a water efficiency audit?

Start by reviewing water bills to establish a baseline, then inspect plumbing, fixtures, pumps, cooling equipment, and irrigation systems for leaks or excessive consumption. Submeters can help identify high-use areas. From there, compare actual usage with expected demand and prioritize the biggest opportunities for improvement.

What are the biggest sources of water waste in commercial buildings?

Common sources include leaking toilets and faucets, aging pipes, excessive water pressure, inefficient fixtures, and irrigation systems. Cooling towers and HVAC equipment can also consume substantial amounts of water. Poorly maintained pumps and equipment may contribute further waste, particularly when they operate outside their intended conditions.

How does water consumption affect a company’s carbon footprint?

Using water requires energy for pumping, treatment, heating, and wastewater processing, so higher consumption can increase associated emissions. This is especially relevant for hot water and large mechanical systems. Reducing unnecessary water use can therefore lower both a company’s water footprint and the energy required to manage that water.

Key Numbers & Facts at a Glance

Freshwater lost each year globally	324 billion m³
U.S. water lost annually	~50 million Olympic-sized swimming pools
Pipes in America beyond useful life	20% / ~450,000 miles
Companies receiving a water security score	6,500 of 22,700+
Water-use reduction from fixture choice and dual-flush toilets	55%
MVAC water-efficiency improvement	38%

Water systems are easy to overlook because their problems often develop behind walls, beneath floors, and inside equipment rooms. If you want to take water sustainability more seriously, regular audits, sensible equipment upgrades, and better monitoring are your best options. 

Water doesn’t get that much attention right now given the current focus on carbon emissions. However, it is still a critical part of the sustainability movement that can easily be overlooked and unintentionally undermined. So, take the time to periodically assess your business and ensure your efforts aren’t being undone by a poorly optimized system.