Business water saving tips

This includes vet clinics and groomers

• Dry groom (only wash dogs if necessary)
• Ensure all wash basins, hoses, taps and nozzles are in good working order and not leaking.
• Repair equipment in need of maintenance
• Install low-flow nozzles and fixtures
• Install recirculating systems for water or a double-tank hydrobath that recycles water
• Clean premises with non-water methods where possible (e.g. use brooms, especially in non-grooming areas)

Including breweries, distilleries, bottling

• Reuse rinse/flush water within the production line instead of discharging it
• Plan production runs to minimize water-intensive activities
  
• Put posters inside washrooms advising visitors on how to conserve water:
  • Poster - 22 x 28

• Collect rainwater to use for communal property landscaping and plants
• Fix leaking taps and toilets in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms etc.

This also includes bakeries, commercial food makers and animal processing

• Track water usage to meet lowered water targets
• Recirculate cooling water
• Ensure maintenance is complete on refrigeration condensers/units
• Minimize water use that is not on the factory floor
• Plan production runs to minimize water-intensive activities

• Plan food preparation activities to reduce water use
• Plan production runs to minimize water-intensive activities
• Recirculate cooling water
• Monitor water use in garden centres/plants areas
  • repair leaking hoses
  • prevent watering on floors and shelving
  • remove dead plants that can’t be saved to prioritize water for living plants
• Ensure maintenance is complete on refrigeration condensers/units
• Cleaning tips (except when required by Health & Safety Regulations)
  • Use brooms and brushes over water cleaning methods
  • Cut down use of floor cleaning machines – spot wash when necessary in non-food prep areas

• Put posters and cards inside guest rooms and elevators to advise guests to reduce showers to three minutes or less:
  • Letter to guests
  • In-room card
  • Poster
• Reduce bedsheet and towel changes for guest stays. Offer incentives for customers to reuse towels and sheets (e.g. meal vouchers, discounts, etc.)
  
• Run only full loads of laundry
• Consider closing swimming pools and shower areas
• Turn off irrigation systems
• Turn off ice machines
• Collect rainwater and greywater for property landscaping and potted plants
• Ensure maintenance is complete on refrigerators, freezers and other equipment
• Ensure dishwashers are performing efficiently without leaks or water loss
• Train staff to minimize water loss during food prep and cleaning
• Use compostable products where possible to reduce dishwashing. See suggested alternatives

• Cut down use of floor cleaning machines – spot wash when necessary, in non-food prep areas
• Shut indoor fountains
• Close areas that require frequent cleaning with water and consider using wipes where appropriate (e.g. equipment)
• Make onsite visits to tenants to check for water leaks and repairs. Provide water education information to tenants and encourage them to make smart decisions about water
• Turn off irrigation systems
• Reuse cooling water for other purposes

• Remind customers about conservation efforts and encourage them to only run full loads of laundry  
  • On short cycles if possible
  • Only washing items required for the week and leaving items that can wait
  • Ensuring all washers and hose lines are not leaking

This includes chemical, computer, electrical, energy, furniture, machinery, metals processing, plastic, printing, textiles and wood products

• Complete maintenance and repair of equipment
• Reduce or eliminate water use when not necessary for core business functions
• Reuse cooling water for other purposes
• Reuse rinse/flush water within the production line instead of discharging it
• Examine where less water can be used without compromising quality/safety
• Plan production runs to minimize water-intensive activities

This includes childcare, medical clinics, personal care, pharmacies, hair/nail salons/spas

• Use only necessary towels and linens to reduce required laundry
• Only run full loads of laundry and dishes
• Use compostable products where possible to reduce dish washing. See suggested alternatives
• Turn off water features and fountains
• Complete “dry” haircuts at salons or wet hair with a spray bottle instead of a full wash

When Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions go into effect on August 26, we will NOT be requesting the closure of any recreation facilities unless absolutely necessary. Since June, we have worked with recreation facilities to understand their water use and they are confident they can meet the required 25% reduction without significant impact to services. Most pools are full and only require minimal top up to meet health and safety requirements.

• Outdoor pools typically begin closures the first week of September and can continue to operate provided they can access a non-City water supply to support pool top ups.  
• Put posters inside recreation facilities and pools advising visitors on how to conserve water:
  • Poster - bathroom 
  • Poster - 22x28

• Only provide water if asked and consider using bottled water instead of tap water to fulfill these requests
• Ensure maintenance is complete on refrigerators, freezers and other equipment
• Ensure dishwashers are performing efficiently without leaks or water loss
• Train staff to minimize water loss during food prep and cleaning
• Use compostible products where possible to reduce dish washing. See suggested alternatives
• Collect rainwater and greywater for property landscaping and potted plants
• Put posters inside washrooms advising visitors on how to conserve water:
  • Poster - 22 x 28

• Cleaning tips (except when required by Health & Safety Regulations)
  • Use brooms and brushes over water cleaning methods
  • Cut down use of floor cleaning machines – spot wash when necessary

• Ask students and staff to turn off taps when lathering their hands
  • Put posters up in bathrooms

• Turn off irrigation systems
• Collect rainwater and greywater for property landscaping and potted plants

• Repair equipment in need of maintenance
  • Fix leaking taps and toilets
  • Address leaks from appliances like refrigerators, freezers, and dishwashers

• Train staff to minimize water loss during classroom activities (water tables, etc.), food prep and cleaning

• Promote the use of reusable water bottles to reduce the use of drinking fountains, thereby reducing water waste
  • Use compostable products where possible to reduce dish washing. See suggested alternatives.

• Consider closing swimming pools and shower areas

This includes strip malls and small offices

• Use non-water cleaning methods if possible
  
• Limit/shut-off dishwashers
• Check for leaks in hoses and equipment
• Collect rainwater and greywater for property landscaping and potted plants

• Window washing is allowed by a licensed company only. 
• Sidewalk and building cleaning is not allowed.