1. Institutional Water Use
Water Use In Schools –
How to Conduct a Water
Audit and Save!
Brent M. White
Suncoast Earth Force
Teachers Workshop
August 2, 2010
Gary Adult High School
Tampa, FL

2. Why Take Action on
Environmental Issues?
 Industry, business, and government
organizations are adopting sustainable
practices in their work place.
 Incorporating these practices may
provides benefits including:
 Reduced utility bills
 Improved property value
 Greater competitiveness
 Enhanced public image
 Improved local ecosystem
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3. What Can Schools Do?
 Schools too have been taking action on
environmental issues.
 By taking action, schools will be able to:
 Save money!
 Instruct current generations on
how to deal with future issues.
 Integrate environmental education
into the curriculum.
 Reduce waste and other environmental impacts.
 Improve cooperation throughout the school community.
 Promote environmental values, attitudes,
knowledge and skills to their students and staff.
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4. Why Water?
 Water is only thought about in times of
drought or flood.
 Virtually everything we do or use
involves water.
 Even though supply is finite, we tend to
take water for granted.
 Simple actions can be adopted to reduce
waste and use water wisely.
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5. What is a Water Audit?
 Monitoring water use is a good start.
 Can be achieved by doing a water audit.
 An audit will reveal your current water
use and management system.
 Provides background information for
developing actions for reducing water
use.
 Will also create a starting point from
which improvements can be measured.
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6. Conducting the Water Audit
 Five components to an water audit
1. Selecting which facility
to evaluate.
2. Gathering facility
demographics.
3. Conduct the on-site
evaluation.
4. Prepare the evaluation report.
5. Follow-up.
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7. Selecting Facilities to Evaluate
 Compile annual water use records by
facility type.
 Refine the database by water used per
measurement parameter.
 Compare the water-use rate to the
benchmark value for the type of facility.
 Reorder the list of facilities by potential
water savings into a chart.
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8. School Baseline
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9. Gathering Facility Demographics
 Information to be gathered about a
facility to be audited includes:
 Address  Number of employees
 Facility contact  Percent male/female
 Title  Full / Part time
 Age of facility  Meter size and count
 Building size  Water source(s)
 Operating hours/days  Billing class / rates
 Shifts per day  2-years of water history
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10. Conducting On-Site Evaluation
 Determine the water use rate for all
equipment and processes.
 Consistency is important
 Major areas to include are:
 Sanitation  Heating / Cooling
 Kitchen  Leak detection
 Office  Water used in products
 Miscellaneous  Alternative water use
 Irrigation  Staff input
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11. Evaluation Report Contents
 Evaluate Annual Water Consumption
 Detail the water and sewer billing data for
the facility by:
 Average monthly usage and cost
 Peak monthly usage and cost
 Average daily usage and cost
 Total annual usage and cost
 Monthly use by meter type
 Display seasonal influences on water use.
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12. Seasonal Water Use Breakdown
Sample Seasonal Water Use Trends
Irrigation Domestic
Tower Blowdown Linear (Tower Blowdown)
Linear (Irrigation) Linear (Domestic)
Fall Spring
900
800
700
600
Use (gal)
500
400
300
200
100
0
Apr-04 May-04 Jun-04 Jul-04 Aug-04 Sep-04 Oct-04 Nov-04 Dec-04 Jan-05 Feb-05 Mar-05
Month
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13. Evaluation Report Contents
 Water Budget Includes:
 Facility Statistics
 Equipment water use ratings
(Existing and Proposed)
 Frequency of use
 Days per year of use
 Estimated / Adjusted use
 Per year
 Estimated savings
 Per year
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14. The Water Budget
Estimated Adjusted Estimated
Water Usage Days Per Use/Yr Use/Yr Savings/Yr
Application Basis Existing Proposed Frequency Year (ccf) (ccf) (ccf)
Heating/Cooling
Cooling Towers 350 Tons 53.76 gal/ton/day 43.01 gal/ton/day 1 uses/day 365 days 9,181.60 7,345.63 1,835.98
9,181.60 7,345.63 1,835.98
Sanitation
Toilets 1,400 Customers 1.6 gpf 1.6 gpf 0.25 flush/person/day 312 days 233.58 233.58 0.00
Toilets 20 Staff 1.6 gpf 1.6 gpf 4 flush/person/day 312 days 53.39 53.39 0.00
Urinals 700 Male customers 1.5 gpf 1 gpf 0.25 flush/person/day 312 days 109.49 72.99 36.50
Urinals 10 Staff 1.5 gpf 1 gpf 2 flush/person/day 312 days 12.51 8.34 4.17
Faucets 1,400 Customers 2.2 gpf 1.5 gpf 0.25 min/day 312 days 321.18 218.98 102.19
Faucets 20 Staff 2.2 gpm 1.5 gpm 1 min/day 312 days 18.35 12.51 5.84
Showerheads 21 Staff 2.5 gpm 2.5 gpm 2 min/day 313 days 43.94 43.94 0.00
Total Sanitary: 748.51 599.81 148.70
Kitchen
Hand sinks 3 Number 6 gpm 2.5 gpm 3 min/day 312 days 22.52 9.39 13.14
Prep sinks 6 Number 6 gpm 4 gpm 5 min/day 312 days 75.08 50.05 25.03
Brewed tea sales 1 Number 360 gal/month 360 gal/month 12 months 1 year 5.78 5.78 0.00
Lemonade sales 1 Number 900 gal/month 900 gal/month 12 months 1 year 14.44 14.44 0.00
Coffee sales 1 Number 300 gal/month 300 gal/month 12 months 1 year 4.81 4.81 0.00
Pre-rinse sprayer 2 Number 8 gpm 1.6 gpm 10 min/day 312 days 66.74 13.35 53.39
Ice-machine 1 Number 0.28 gal / lb ice 0.28 gal / lb ice 600 lbs. Ice 312 days 70.07 70.07 0.00
Steam table 1 Number 2 gpd 2 gpd 312 days 1 year 0.83 0.83 0.00
Bun warmer 1 Number 0.25 gpd 0.25 gpd 312 days 1 year 0.10 0.10 0.00
Steam cabinet 1 Number 3 gpd 3 gpd 312 days 1 year 1.25 1.25 0.00
Soda tower 2 Number 10 fl. oz./soda 10 fl. oz./soda 725 sodas 312 day 47.25 47.25 0.00
Total Kitchen: 308.88 217.33 91.56
Misc.
Hose bibb 1 Number 6 gal/use 6 gal/use 3 uses/day 312 days 7.51 7.51 0
Spray sanitizers 1 Number 3 gpd 3 gpd 1 uses/day 312 days 1.25 1.25 0
Floor cleaning 1 Number 3 gal/use 3 gal/use 18 uses/week 312 days 22.52 22.52 0
Total Misc: 31.28 31.28 0
Irrigation
300 sq. ft. 5 gal/sq. ft. 5 gal/sq. ft. 2 uses / week 52 weeks 208.56 208.56 0
Total Water Use: 10,478.84 8,402.60 2,076.24
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15. Evaluation Report Contents
 Efficiency recommendations / payback
periods related to annual savings
 Payback = $ to implement ÷ Annual Savings
 Contractors and vendors can supply costs
 Annual savings is based on water and
sewer costs
 Increased savings when tiered rate
structures are in place.
 Incorporate electric savings with items that
use hot water.
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16. Evaluation Report Contents
 Recommended Water Efficiency Measures
 Each recommendation contains:
 Current equipment rating
 Suggested change
 Number of changes, equipment
 Cost – estimated (include sewer and
extensions)
 Savings – estimated (include sewer and
extensions)
 List reclaimed water if applicable
 Annual payback periods
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17. Sample Recommendation
Install low-volume pre-rinse sprayer
Your pre-rinse sprayer(s) near your dish station use: 6 gpm.
We recommend replacing them with a model that uses: 1.6 gpm.
Note: The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), in effect since Jan 1, 2006
states that all pre-rinse units and replacement spray valves used for ware
washing must have a maximum flow of 1.6 gpm at 60 p.s.i.
Project Cost:
Estimated cost: $ 75 per nozzles.
Total project cost: $ 75
Savings:
Estimated savings: 10.98 Kgal per year.
Cost to heat water: $ 0.50 per Kgal.
Water savings value: $ 57.32 (including sewer)
Payback period:
This recommencation may pay for itself
with water and sewer savings in: 1.31 years.
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18. Evaluation Report Contents
 Secondary Conservation Items
 Unallocated water
 Water use that is not identified
 Special Comments
 Possible leaks / detection
 Booster pump effects
 Availability of reclaimed water
 Additional water savings tips
 Contact information
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19. Evaluation Report Contents
 Summary of measures
 Cumulative list of conservation
measures
 Total of all measures
Recommended Initial Savings Expense Payback
Measures Cost ccf/year Avoided Period (yrs)
Replace 3.5 gpf toilet $ 125 24.18 $ 126.22 0.99
Install efficient pre-rinse sprayer 120 6.29 32.83 3.65
Install prep sink aerator - 2.62 13.68 0.00
Install handsink aerator - 1.05 5.48 0.00
Install spray nozzles on hose bibbs - 3.67 19.16 0.00
Total: $ 245 37.81 $ 197.37 1.24
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20. Satisfaction and Effectiveness
 One-year after the evaluation
 Follow up with facility
 Determine the implementation rate
 Gauge the participant’s satisfaction
 Measure long-term implementation
 Satisfaction with new equipment
 Satisfaction with personnel involved
 Perceived change in utility bill
 Incorporate information about available
related programs
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21. Canterbury School Audit
 Audit was performed in October ‘09
 251 students
 46 full-time staff
 5 part-time staff
 Multiple events throughout year
 Sporting events
 Theater productions
 Community meetings
 Parent Association meetings
 Booster Club events
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22. Canterbury School Audit
 Various stages of construction
 All had plumbing code requirements specific
to the year the building was constructed.
 Evident in the flow rates of sanitary fixtures
 Example: Pre-1994 toilets use 3.5 gallons per
flush (gpf), Post-1994 toilets use 1.6 gpf
 Requires allocation of facility population to
specific buildings/fixtures
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23. Canterbury School Audit
 Before audit:
 Chart 4-years of water and sewer records
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24. Canterbury School Audit
 Benchmarks used in Water budget
 Flushes per day – US EPA Water Conservation Plan
Guidelines
 Faucet minutes per day – US EPA Water Conservation
Plan Guidelines
 Showerhead minutes per day – Determined during
audit interviews with facility staff
 Visitor Attendance – Estimated at 20,000 per year
 Ice Used – Based upon ice machine production ratings
 Soda sales – 1.5 sodas per visitor per year
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25. Canterbury School Audit
 Gallons / Student / Day
 Use as a baseline for comparison
 Compared to other High Schools in St.
Petersburg’s service area
 Gibbs High – 2,200 students – 9.17
 Lakewood High – 1,810 students – 4.11
 Canterbury School – 251 students – 34.07
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26. Canterbury School Audit
 Allocation by Water Use Type
Lab/Class Lab/Class
Misc 6.24%
1% Kitchen
3% Irrigation
Kitchen 2.94%
5% 12%
Misc.
12.40%
Irrigation
3.52%
Sanitary
31%
Athletic
16.75%
Cooling
48% Sanitary
58.16%
1997 SWFWMD Study 2008 Canterbury Audit
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27. Canterbury School Audit
 Indoor recommendations
 3.5 Flushometer toilet retrofits
 Estimated savings of 201 Kgal
 Savings value of $951.54
 Payback period of 1.05 years
 Bathroom faucet aerators
 Estimated savings of 468 Kgal
 Savings value of $2,448.63 (includes heating)
 Payback period of 0.02 years
 Urinal flush valve retrofits
 Estimated savings of 58.7 Kgal
 Savings value of $279.60
 Payback period of 0.45 years
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28. Canterbury School Audit
 Indoor recommendations
 Low-flow showerheads
 Estimated savings of 11.7 Kgal
 Savings value of $61.19 (includes heating)
 Payback period of 1.31 years
 Hand sink aerators
 Estimated savings of 5.304 Kgal
 Savings value of $27.74 (includes heating)
 Payback period of 0.22 years
 Hose bibb spray nozzles
 Estimated savings of 24.57 Kgal
 Savings value of $116.22
 Payback period of 0.23years
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29. Canterbury School Audit
 Indoor recommendations
 Kitchen/Prep sink aerators
 Estimated savings of 11.7 Kgal
 Savings value of $61.19 (includes heating)
 Payback period of 1.31 years
 Summary of Indoor Measures
Recommended Initial Savings Expense Payback
Measures Cost CGal/year Avoided Period (yrs)
Replace 3.5 gpf flushometer toilets $ 1,000.00 2,011.72 $ 951.54 1.05
Install urinal flush valve retrofit kit 125.00 587.40 279.60 0.45
Install faucet aerators in the bathrooms 48.00 4,681.26 2,448.30 0.02
Install low-flow showerheads 80.00 117.00 61.19 1.31
Install hand sink aerators 6.00 53.04 27.74 0.22
Install prep sink aerators 6.00 182.00 95.19 0.06
Use spray nozzles on hose bibbs 27.00 245.70 116.22 0.23
Total: $ 1,292.00 7,878.12 $ 3,979.78 0.48
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30. Canterbury School Audit
 Outdoor Recommendations
 Clean and replace clogged nozzles
 Repair leaks in irrigation system
 Convert to low-volume irrigation
 Application specific recommendations
 Straighten nozzles
 Cap off some rotors and/or pop-ups
 Increase plant bed size
 Convert turf areas to mulched areas
 Improve uniformity by matching nozzle flow rates to
demands (separate turf from shrub zones)
 Realign nozzles so as not to spray on impervious surfaces
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31. Canterbury School Audit
 Outdoor Recommendations
 Irrigation duration/schedule
Time April - October November - March Type
Parking Lot South 20 Twice/Week Once/Week Mixed
Parking Lot North 20 Twice/Week Once/Week Mixed
Elevated Beds 25 Once/Week Once/2 Weeks Plants
East Side of Building 45 Twice/Week Once/Week Turf
Colonade 25 Once/Week Once/2 Weeks Plants
Field House 20 Twice/Week Once/Week Turf
South and Front 25 Once/Week Once/2 Weeks Plants
 Inspect system monthly
 Visually examine all sprinkler heads
 Ten minutes of operating time is allowed
 An attendant must be present
 Check rain sensor operation
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32. Canterbury School Audit
 Outdoor Recommendations
 Seashore Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum)
 Similar to Bermuda grass
 Heals faster
 Salt-tolerant
 Requires 50% less water
 Uses 75% less Nitrogen
 Half of all athletic fields in Charlotte
County uses Seashore Paspalum
 Varieties: Sea Dwarf, Aloha,
Sea Isle, Sea Spray
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33. Canterbury School Audit
 Outdoor recommendations
 Fountain wind speed control system
 Automatically slow down or shut off a
fountain if surrounding wind speeds
are high enough to blow the spray
out of the fountain basin.
 Reduces spray drift that reaches
impervious surfaces.
 Fountains currently restricted to
4-hours of operation per day.
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34. Canterbury School Audit
 Outdoor recommendations
 Stormwater reuse
 Collecting and storing
precipitation for future use.
 Done on a larger scale by utilities
 Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR).
 Stores water during the rainy season
for the dry season
 Cisterns
 Rain Barrels
5/17/2011 34

35. Implementation Options
 Alternative funding opportunities:
 Performance Contracting
 Existing utility rebate programs
 Retrofit giveaways
 Mini-grants for educational efforts
that incorporate water savings.
 Splash mini-grants – School based
 Community Education grant
– Public based
 Source Water Protection (TBW)
 Estuary Program Grants
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36. Thank You!
For more info:
Brent.White@swfwmd.state.fl.us
1-800-423-1476 ext. 4214