Table 4.

Cost-effective water saving devices and practices: general water use

Item/application Description/purpose Equipment/
technique
Applicability Other benets Other considerations Potential
cost
Potential
payback
Training Increase staff
awareness
Training, workshops,
seminars
All areas of use M M
Water balance Site-wide survey Records, bills and
flow measurements
All areas of use M S
Monitoring Online water use Flow meters All areas of use M S
Leakage identification and
elimination
Inspection and repair
of equipment
Regular inspection Pipes, tanks, glands,
gaskets, flanges
Reduced
maintenance
M M
Overflow identification and
elimination
Avoiding overflows Level controllers Tanks Reduced risk of
flooding or pollution
incident
M M
Use of block valves for isolation
rather than preset control valves
Avoids the need
to change preset
positions
Block valves Where preset or
adjustable water
flow
Consistent efficiency L S
Maintaining water at required
temperature
Avoids undesirable
heat loss or gain
Insulation Long distribution
systems
Reduced energy
costs
M M
Trace heating High temperature M M
Heat/cool at point
of use
Acute sensitivity to
water temperature
Equipment costs M-H M-L
Water pressure Reduce over-use Pressure reducing
valve
Multi-storey
buildings
L S-M
Toilets Flush control
optimise flush
frequency
PIR sensor and
solenoid valve
Urinals Retrofit M S-M
Reduce water use Timer Urinals L S-M
Eliminate water use Waterless urinals Urinals Retrofit Hygiene and cleaning H M
Reduce water use per
flush
Install smaller
cistern
New installation and
refurbishment
M M
Reduce water use per
flush
Cistern volume
adjuster
Older style toilets Retrofit L S
Eliminate water use Waterless toilets
composting
New installation and
refurbishment
If water availability is
an issue
Requires heat increased energy
consumption
M M
Rippleffect Module 2: Developing an action plan 9