South Florida Water Management District
Reduce Your Water Use, No Excuse
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Restaurants

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS

  • Increase employee and customer awareness of the importance of water conservation.
  • Seek employee suggestions on water conservation.
  • Install signs encouraging water conservation in employee and customer restrooms.
  • Read water meter weekly to monitor success of water conservation efforts.
  • Provide table signs explaining your water conservation efforts.
  • Serve water only when requested by customer.

KITCHEN/BAR AREA

  • Turn off the continuous flow used to clean the drain trays of the coffee/milk/soda beverage island; clean the trays only as needed.
  • Turn dishwasher off when not in use. Wash full loads only.
  • Replace spray heads in dishwasher to reduce water flow. Use water from steam tables to wash down cooking area.
  • Use standing water to defrost frozen foods.
  • Use water-conserving ice makers.
  • Recycle water where feasible, consistent with state and county requirements.
  • Rinse utensils and dishes in standing water.
  • Wash vegetables in standing water; do not let water run in preparation sink.

EXTERIOR AREAS

  • Do not water landscape every day; only water when needed. If water restrictions are in effect, adapt your watering schedule accordingly.
  • Irrigation equipment should apply water uniformly.
  • Investigate the advantages of installing drip irrigation systems.
  • Mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and discourage weeds.
  • Remove thatch and aerate turf to encourage the movement of water to the root zone.
  • Avoid fertilizing and pruning that would stimulate excessive growth.
  • Remove weeds and unhealthy plants save water for healthy plants.
  • In many cases, older, established plants require only infrequent irrigation. Look for indications of water need, such as wilting, change of color, or dry soils.
  • Install soil moisture overrides or timers on sprinkler systems.
  • Water in the early morning or evening, when evaporation is lowest.
  • Avoid sprinkler runoff onto sidewalks, driveways, or gutters.
  • Do not water on windy days.
  • Don't hose down sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots.
  • Wash autos, buses, and trucks less often.
Restaurants photo

bullet Conservation Publications

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

  • Reduce the load on air conditioning units by shutting it off when and where it is not needed.
  • Check water supply system for leaks and turn off any unnecessary flows.
  • Repair dripping faucets, showers and continuously running or leaking toilets.
  • Install flow reducers and faucet aerators in all plumbing fixtures whenever possible.
  • Reduce the water used in toilet flushing by either adjusting the vacuum flush mechanism or installing toilet tank displacement devices (dams, bottles, or bags).
  • As appliances or fixtures wear out, replace them with water-saving models.
  • Shut off water supply to equipment rooms not in use.
  • Minimize the water used in cooling equipment, such as air compressors, in accordance with the manufacturer recommendations.
  • Keep hot water pipes insulated.
  • Avoid excessive boiler and air conditioner blow down. Monitor total dissolved solids levels and blow down only when needed.
  • Switch from wet or steam carpet cleaning methods to dry powder methods.
  • Instruct clean-up crew to use less water for mopping.
  • Change window cleaning schedule from periodic to an on-call/as required basis.

(SOURCE: Maryland Department of the Environment)


bullet EPA WaterSense
The South Florida Water Management District is partnering with logo for EPA WaterSensethe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to bring to you WaterSense, a national program that offers people a simple way to make product choices that use less water – and perform as well or better than your existing products.