WATER CONSERVATION

Water conservation on the part of residents and businesses in our communities ensures a clean, safe, and reliable water supply for everyone. Participation in the water conservation category is likely to result in an overall decrease in your business’ water bill over time or a stable bill as rates increase over time. You can also lower your energy bills by reducing the amount of water heated or cooled.

Cascade Water Alliance offers a variety of water conservation rebates, which can be found on their website.

The City also offers a business guide to keeping stormwater clean.

Business Name:
Contact Name:
E-mail:
Phone Number:
Number of Employees:

Check all that apply. A minimum of eight (8) activities for this section are required to qualify.

Good Housekeeping/Behavior Change

Employee education – include water conservation policies and procedures in staff training/orientation.
Recognize employees for offering water conservation ideas and changing behaviors.
Establish a water conservation suggestion box.
Encourage employees to wash personal and company vehicles at commercial carwashes that recycle their water.
Post signage in business encouraging water conservation, such as “Turn water off when not in use” signs above the sinks.
Serve drinking water only upon request (for restaurants and bars).
Monitor and post water usage rates. Identify high consumption areas and develop a reduction plan.
Use waterless hand cleaners.
Other:

Indoor Improvements

Install faucet aerators
Install low flow, dual flow, or infrared controlled toilets and urinals
Install efficient ore-wash spray valve(s) in commercial kitchen
Improve kitchen dishwasher efficiency (run only when full, hand scrap, fill racks to capacity)
Other:

For Maintenance Personnel

Improve cooling tower efficiency/optimize blowdown-regular service of cooling system
Use air-cooled as opposed to water-cooled ice machines (10x more water is used for water-cooled).
Limit or eliminate use of garbage disposal. E-mail or call the City of Kirkland at (425) 587-3812 for assistance in setting up a commercial food waste program (at no extra charge through Waste Management)
Other:

Outdoor Improvements

Plant native, drought-tolerant, water efficient plant species
Plant smaller or reduce turf areas
Use drip/trickle lines or low flow sprinkler heads
Optimize/reduce watering schedules (morning/evening/no rain watering)
Improve soils with composts/mulches to improve water holding capability
Ongoing regular maintenance (i.e. pruning, irrigation)
Other:

Congratulations! You have completed the Water Conservation category. Please review your application and click on the “Submit” button. City staff will review your application and contact you soon.