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Precious resource

We can all play a role in being water-wise

by sheri flies

Clean, readily available water is essential to our lives, and to our planet. At Costco, we are doing our part to manage water in our operations as efficiently as possible.

First, we want to make sure we are using only what we need in our warehouses. We address this critical area through our STAR program (Sustainability Technical Assistance Review), which outlines specific steps to manage water effectively. For example, advanced monitoring systems can help detect if we’re wasting any water, and respond immediately if any abnormally high usage is detected. We also have processes to improve the quality of our wastewater and stormwater discharges. And in the landscaping around our warehouses, we’re using drought-resistant plants and landscaping where possible.

We can all be involved in managing this precious resource. I’d like to share these water-saving household tips from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

• Start in the bathroom, where more than half of all water use in a house takes place. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, and use water-saving showerheads, toilets and faucets. The EPA recommends using products with the WaterSense label, indicating that they’ve met specifications for water efficiency and performance. (These can also help reduce your energy bills and, in turn, reduce carbon emissions.)
• In the kitchen, use a wash basin or plug the sink if you’re doing dishes by hand, keep a pitcher of water in the fridge instead of running water to make it cold, and make sure the dishwasher is full when you run it.
• Find any plumbing leaks in your home or yard. Common culprits include worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets and leaking valves.

Even the smallest changes can add up to make a real impact. For example, the EPA calculates that using an Energy Star washer instead of a standard machine can save more than 3,000 gallons of water a year. As water prices continue to increase year after year, this also saves you money. And by fixing that leaky faucet, dripping at the rate of one drip per second, you can save more than 3,000 gallons per year.

You can find more information at Epa.gov/watersense/our-water.