5 Simple Steps to Build a Water Management Program
Water conservation is a global goal, with government and corporate initiatives to build smart water management programs within the next several years. Facility managers are in a great position to support this initiative at a local level. The key is to develop and implement a water management strategy.
Why is water management so important?
Water is our most vital resource; yet only 3% of the world’s water is drinkable, and only a fraction of that is accessible. In the face of increasing urbanization, globalization, and climate change, effective water management practices have become even more essential.
Water management is vital in supporting:
Cost savings. A water management strategy helps teams reduce water use, operational costs, and capital and repair expenditures.
Life and health. Water management is critical to the life and health of anyone in your facility. With it, you can proactively detect early-stage bacterial growth, monitor chemical effectiveness, and provide regulatory documentation.
Water accessibility. By mapping out your water system and developing a management plan, you can conserve and reuse water, helping deliver greater accessibility to water as a resource in your area.
Water management affects all of us. With a smart water management strategy, you aren’t just saving money for your facility, you’re protecting the health of staff and visitors as well as the scarce water resources worldwide.
5 steps to build a smart water management program
Creating a water management plan is not as daunting as it may sound. Try these simple steps to get your facility on the right track. These steps are based on ASHRAE Standard 188, which helps facilities manage legionellosis risk.
1. Build your team
You should know exactly who at your facility is responsible for water safety. Hint: It might be you! Every facility needs a designated team responsible for water management programs, procedures, and implementation. Include an executive, facility manager, and other subject matter experts. In a hospital setting, this team also may include an infection preventionist and nursing manager, among others.
2. Map your water system
Next, the team should create a diagram of exactly how your water system’s flow works. Identify potential hazards, weak points, and risk areas. Plumbing drawings can help in this stage but aren’t necessary as they tend to be rather complex.
3. Identify risks and develop a strategy
Look for areas of slow or stagnant water, aging equipment, or other signs of potential water leakage or risk. These risk points may vary depending on the facility type. For example, healthcare facilities should consider areas with higher-risk patient populations.
Next, develop a strategy to prevent or minimize these risks. A risk management strategy should set control locations and limits, such as water flow rate, temperature, or the concentration of pathogens.
4. Monitor and respond
Develop clear monitoring procedures to ensure you know the status of your water at any given time. Have a plan for treatment and response if any of your control measures alert you to potential risks. Be sure to establish and document clear operating procedures and review them regularly.
5. Use the right water management tools
With smart devices and cloud-based, centralized portals, facility managers can leverage technology to gain real-time insight into their entire water management system. These tools relieve the burden of manually checking for risks and deliver timely, actionable insights that enable facility managers to take control of their water.
Smart water management solutions
Successful water management begins with increased visibility, actionable insights, and greater control. Some of the latest innovations in water management incorporate the Internet of Things to enhance connectivity and deliver greater results. At Aquanomix, we provide the only third-party, cloud-based platform for continuous water insights and management.
Our Symphony software marries water treatment with key system performance data to streamline your facility’s water loops. The system conserves natural resources, increases efficiency, and saves money. Some key benefits of a tech-based solution include:
Front-line risk mitigation
Cost savings and energy efficiency
Reduction in dangerous exposure to waterborne bacteria like Legionella
Extended cooling and heating equipment longevity
Prevention of unpredictable expenses with proactive alerts
To learn more about our smart solutions and transform your facility’s water use, read about our Symphony Software and the future of water management.