Companies are not left behind and must protect living environments through a respectful use of water. There are multiple processes and equipment to protect groundwater, treat wastewater before discharge and reduce water consumption. Standards also exist to preserve the drinking nature of water and to ensure the health of the building users, including the obligation imposed on owners to prevent the cross contamination of the drinking water network. Another example is the requirements to limit the presence of lead in drinking water. In Quebec, since May 1, 2014, it is prohibited to install faucets and other plumbing accessories containing more than 0.25% lead.
More and more companies are deciding to modernize their facilities to better manage the use of drinking water. One can think of recirculation loops, or the banning of cooling devices connected continuously to drinking water. A refrigerated display with a single capacitor, for example, can consume nearly 3000 liters of drinking water per day3, which represents an annual consumption of more than one million liters. Thus, the use of air or water recirculation loop devices saves a significant amount of drinking water. The implementation of water recovery, recycling, and recirculation systems on certain types of equipment allows a great water saving.
Several municipal administrations have adopted regulations to define the permitted use of water from the aqueduct, in addition to programs for saving and optimizing infrastructure. For municipalities, water pricing can be a powerful incentive to initiate changes within the population and IBI.
In short, sustainable water management is as much about avoiding all forms of contamination as it is about using water wisely, without abuse. Water has long been regarded as a renewable resource. We know today that it must be preserved. As a citizen, organization, or company, what actions have you taken or are you taking daily to reduce the consumption of drinking water or to avoid its contamination?
Sources:
1 http://imagineadaywithoutwater.org/
2 City of Sherbrooke. (2017, August 21.) Drinking water consumption: Sherbrooke among the leaders in Quebec! Press release. Accessed online at: https://www.ville.sherbrooke.qc.ca/salle-de-presse/actualites/communiques-et-actualites/communiques/communiques/article/consommation-deau-potable-sherbrooke-parmi-les-leaders-au-quebec/
3City of Montreal. (2016). Water-using cooling devices. Pamphlet 9964 (02-16). Accessed online at: http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/EAU_FR/MEDIA/DOCUMENTS/reglement_climatisation_HR.PDF