Water wastage is one of the main environmental concerns of both local and federal government agencies. Not only are businesses encouraged to prevent water wastage, but there are several laws in place that prohibit the unnecessary waste of water.
For example, Section 24-337 of the New York City Code prohibits the unnecessary waste of water. Non-agricultural businesses that intend to use 100,000 gallons per day of groundwater or surface water must also apply to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) for a permit.
How can your business prevent water wastage and ensure compliance with environmental law?
Getting staff on board
While you can implement policies to prevent water waste, your staff need to be on board. This starts with providing training on the importance of sustainable water usage. Things you may want to include in training programs are:
- The importance of turning off water faucets when not in use
- The benefits of using reusable water bottles
- Practicing the most efficient ways to use water
It can be useful to send email reminders about your water wastage policies and you may also want to write a regular blog on your company website on how to be more sustainable.
Investing in technology
While bringing in the latest water-saving technology can be an initial cost, it will save money for your company in the long run. You can install low-pressure faucets and toilets as well as meters that track water usage. As you carry out audits on water usage, these meters will provide valuable information on areas of improvement.
Preventing water wastage is not only ethical. It is a requirement for all businesses in New York. For more information on this subject, it will help to seek legal guidance.
