Foodservice facilities use a lot of water, and more than half of that water consumption occurs in the kitchen, according to American Water Works Association statistics. Water and wastewater costs have risen significantly over the past 10 years, and those costs are expected to continue to rise.
Because foodservice facilities use hot water for many tasks, water conservation can also in lower energy costs. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), implementing water-efficient practices can reduce water costs by up to 15% and energy costs by 10%.
How to conserve water in your kitchen
Start by assessing your water use to identify savings opportunities. Here are some commonly used water-efficient practices and upgrades that can have an impact.
Use water-efficient cooking techniques. Adopting cooking methods that require less water, such as steaming instead of boiling, can contribute to significant water savings. Additionally, using the minimum required amount of water for cooking processes not only conserves water but also preserves nutrients in food, enhancing its flavor and quality.
Wash dishes efficiently. Educate staff on proper dishware preparation and loading techniques to reduce overall water consumption. Only run the dishwasher when it's fully loaded to optimize water use.
Fix leaks quickly. Leaks are a common source of water waste in commercial kitchens. A single dripping faucet can waste gallons of water each day. Implementing a routine inspection schedule to identify and repair leaks immediately can prevent unnecessary water loss and reduce costs.
Install water-efficient fixtures. By replacing standard faucets and spray valves with low-flow alternatives, your kitchen can significantly reduce water usage. These fixtures are designed to maintain efficiency while using less water, leading to considerable savings on water bills without compromising performance. An EPA WaterSense®-labeled pre-rinse spray valve, for example, can save the average commercial kitchen up to 7,000 gallons of water a year.
Upgrade equipment. Switching to EPA ENERGY STAR®-certified dishwashers, ice machines and steam cookers can significantly reduce your water and energy use. ENERGY STAR steam cookers, for example, are up to 90% more water-efficient and 60% more energy-efficient than standard models.
By taking steps to use less water in your kitchen, you'll not only reduce your operating costs, but you'll also improve the sustainability of your business by helping to conserve a precious resource.
