Water Use

As only about 1% of the water on Earth is fresh water, maintaining adequate potable water supplies is a basic necessity for the health of individuals and communities. Processing potable water is energy intensive (for the treatment, pumping and maintenance of the water systems), yet only about 20% of current urban water is used for drinking and sanitary purposes, with the other 80% not actually requiring treatment to potable standards.

Per capita water use in the U.S. is higher than in any other developed country and hospitals and health care facilities are significant users. Reducing water use can lead to major savings in terms of lower water and sewer bills and reduced energy consumption, resulting in even greater cost savings.

Health care facility water use varies widely depending on type, size, geographical location and water use equipment/practices. A water use study published in 2002 showed a range of water use from 68,750 to 298,013 gallons per year per bed for hospitals in the size range of 133 to 510 beds. The same study indicated that hospitals typically use 25% of their water for domestic use (sinks, showers and toilets) and 75% for non-domestic (including boilers, chillers, food services, operating rooms, sterile processing and radiology). Water use also creates Wastewater which facilities must manage and control.

Hospitals that have conducted successful water use reduction programs have been able to reduce water use by approximately 20 to 30 percent. For large facilities, this can translate to over $100,000 per year savings in water, sewer and energy costs. Based on published reports, health care facilities that implement water conservation changes can expect a return on investment in the range of approximately 25% – 40%. Achieving these savings requires a systematic Water Conservation approach.