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your water footprint

Small Business Water Uses and Impacts

Dry Cleaning
Auto Body Shops
Gas Stations
Dental Clinics
Golf Courses
Garden Centres / Florists
Construction
Landscaping
Hotels / Bed and Breakfasts
Spas and Pools
Restaurants

Dry Cleaning

The majority of dry cleaning businesses use a non-water-based solvent called perchloroethylene (abbreviated "perc"), to remove stains from clothes. Although perc is an effective cleaning agent, it is classified as a hazardous contaminant and carcinogen. If improperly handled or spilled, perc can travel through floors and pavement to contaminate soil and water supplies.

To prevent water contamination, perc should not be put down drains connected to drain fields, septic systems or dry wells. Any accidental discharge of perc to a septic sewer system should be reported to local authorities.

Generally, after the dry cleaning process is complete, the solvent (perc) is collected for reuse through a filtration process. The filtration process produces a thin layer of filter cake called ‘muck’. Muck is also considered a hazardous waste, and contains the perc solvent as well as other filter material like lint, dyes, grease, soils, and water. Muck must be disposed of at a hazardous waste management facility.

PERC has been federally regulated since 2003 by the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Environment Canada has developed a Compliance Promotion Package to help dry cleaning businesses comply with the regulations.

Many, less harmful, alternative cleaning methods have recently been developed. ‘Wet cleaning’, a process that uses water and biodegradable soap, is an environmentally-friendly process that uses computer-controlled dryers and stretching machines to make sure that the fabric keeps its original shape and size. Another alternative cleaning agent called ‘liquid silicon’ combines liquid carbon dioxide with silicone. This solvent degrades to silica and small amounts of CO2 in the environment and thus produces no toxic, hazardous waste.

What dry cleaners can do:

Sources and additional information:

Auto Body Shops

Auto body shops and mechanics generate many hazardous wastes that can pose a threat to the environment if handled improperly. Many of these wastes can cause serious water pollution including: automotive fuels (gasoline, diesel), used oil (engine and transmission fluids), automotive fluids (anti freeze, solvents, thinners), wasterwater and sludge, used batteries, and paint wastes (solvents, paint booth filters).

1) Automotive Fuels: Fuel spills and leaking storage tanks can cause serious soil and water supply contamination.

2) Used Oil: Used oil, lubricants and transmission fluids are potentially toxic contaminants that can pollute ground and surface water if improperly applied.

3) Automotive Fluids: Automotive fluids, such as antifreeze and cleaning solvents, typically contain toxic chemicals. Automotive fluids can contaminate soils and surface or groundwater through leaks or spills and leaky radiators.

4) Wastewater and Sludge: Wastewater is generated when auto shop floors are cleaned, or when vehicles are washed prior to body work. Spills of hazardous products on the floor may contaminate wastewater. If wastewater is discharged into storm sewers, local surface waters may be contaminated.

5) Used Batteries: Used batteries may leak and spill if they are not properly stored and maintained. Additionally, they must be disposed of appropriately to avoid environmental degradation.

6) Paint wastes: Paint wastes are generally comprised of leftover paints, incorrectly formulated paints, expired paints, and paint-contaminated wastes. When water is used to clean up paint waste, it may allow hazardous contaminated water may enter the environment.

What auto body shops can do:

  • Learn about what materials and equipment are a safety hazard, what can and cannot be reused or recycled, and what can and cannot go down the drain or in the trash. Do not flush hazardous materials down the drain.
  • Learn how to dispose of hazardous wastes appropriately. Have your used oil, brake fluid, and transmission fluid managed by a waste recycler.
  • Small quantity generators can return their waste to a MHSW depot.
  • Substitute less harmful cleaning products around the shop, such as water-based biodegradable cleaners or use recyclable solvents.

Source and additional information:

Gas Stations

Gas stations can generate considerable environmental hazards including ground-level ozone, caused by gasoline fumes, and ground and surface water hazards from leaking petroleum products. Ozone pollution is caused when a mixture of volatile organic compounds from gasoline vapours and car exhaust fumes are released into the atmosphere. Most gas pumps have vapour-recovery boots on their nozzles, which decrease the amount of vapours escaping into the atmosphere when patrons refuel their cars. However, if the boots aren't working properly, harmful chemicals may be released into the atmosphere.

Water and soil contamination at gas stations is mainly due to accidental leaks and spills including leaking underground gasoline storage tanks. In the past, storage tanks used to be made of uncoated steel, which is known to rust over time and leads to an increased risk of leakage. Accidents such as rupturing underground gasoline pipes may cause further contamination. When patrons refuel their cars, spills from fuelling can contaminate not only groundwater but surface waters as well. Runoff from gas station floors can make its way into stormwater systems and be transported into local water bodies, in turn contaminating them.

What gas stations can do:

  • Monitor and maintain vapour-recovery boots, gasoline storage tanks, and other infrastructure.

Sources and additional information:

Dental Clinics

Dental fillings or ‘amalgams’ are largely composed of mercury as well as other metals. Every time a routine amalgam procedure is carried out, slivers of mercury may be flushed down the drain and end up in wastewater. Mercury containing wastewater may then be released into the nearest source of open water, where it can greatly affect local fish populations and water supplies. Dentists have become the leading source of mercury pollution in wastewater.

What dentists can do:

  • Capture amalgam waste by installing dental chair side traps and amalgam separators that capture and collect mercury so it is not flushed down the drain.

Sources and additional information:

Golf Courses

Several water quality and quantity issues can be associated with golf courses. Firstly, groundwater may be contaminated through pesticides, nutrients, and petroleum infiltrating the soil. Additionally, if groundwater is heavily pumped for irrigation practises, groundwater extraction may exceed aquifer recharge rates.

Surface waters and wetlands can also be significantly affected by golf course operations. Significant withdrawals from surface water for irrigation may affect water levels of local waterbodies. Surface water quality may also be put at risk because of runoff that may transport pesticides, nutrients, petroleum and soil into nearby water bodies.

What golf courses can do:

  • Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly.
  • Monitor groundwater pumping and recharge rates to avoid overpumping of water supplies.
  • Monitor both the volume and quality of waterbodies surrounding golf courses.

Source and additional information:

Garden Centres / Florists

Garden centres and retail nurseries create attractive plant displays to promote sales and remain competitive. However, these displays can use considerable amounts of water.

It is a common practice for nurseries to use automatic watering systems. Many of these, however, are not well designed and displays are often not set up to maximize water efficiency from the use of sprinklers. Nurseries are also typically designed to drain water into stormwater drains, where the water is wasted.

A good solution is to collect and recycle water from irrigation and rainfall in collection sumps or tanks, which are easy to install. If dirty water or pathogens are a concern, simple filtration systems can be installed. Furthermore, it is also valuable to know and tailor to the water requirements for each plant species.

Drainage of garden centre water into stormwater drains is also a concern because contaminated water, which contains large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides, is carried into local bodies of water. Filtration systems should be highly considered to avoid source water contamination and eutrophication.

What garden centres can do:

  • Install watering wands with on/off valves or triggers so that they do not need to be turned off at the tap.
  • Remove the weeds from plant pots as weeds absorb water.
  • Sweep benches and paths rather than using water or using a high presser cleaner when water is needed.
  • Use shade cloths to reduce the effects of sunlight.
  • Water plants during cooler periods of the day to help them absorb and the use water more efficiently.
  • Repair leaks in hoses, nozzles and taps.
  • Don't overwater plants.

Construction

Construction sites have the potential to pollute streams and rivers with diesel and oils, paint, solvents, cleaners, harmful gases and chemicals, construction debris, dirt, dust, and ground movements. When land is cleared it causes soil erosion that leads to silt-bearing run-off and sediment pollution. Sediment is one of the most common sources of water pollution. Silt, soil, and construction debris that runs into natural waterways can clog municipal water systems, smother aquatic life, and cause water to become increasingly turbid. Turbid water can cause thermal pollution, because cloudy water absorbs more solar radiation.

Surface water run-off from construction sites also carries other pollutants from the site, such as diesel and oil, toxic chemicals, and building materials like cement. When these substances get into waterways they poison water life. Pollutants on construction sites can also soak into the groundwater.

What can the construction industry do:

  • Put in place systems and effective control measures before construction work is started.

Sources and additional information:

Landscaping

Landscaping involves planting trees, flowers, grasses, and /or shrubs along with constructing walkways, paths, water fountains, curbs and drainage systems. Fertilizers and pesticides are frequently used for maintenance and as a way to control unwanted plants and pests.

Landscaping practices often erode natural protective vegetatation from soils, causing further erosion. Loose sediments and soil wash into surface water runoff, causing sediment pollution, degrading aquatic habitat and contaminating source water. Pesticide and fertilizer runoff from lawns can damage streams, lakes, and estuaries.

Landscaping can also use significant quantities of water.

What landscaping businesses can do:

Sustainable landscaping practices have been developed for every phase of landscaping, including design, construction, implementation and management. Landscapers can:

  • Increase the permeability of a site to take in groundwater and recharge the water table.
  • Reduce the use of water for irrigation by installing efficient irrigation technologies.
  • Store rainwater for irrigation.
  • Use appropriate plant species, as water intensive and non-adaptive plants consume more water than other species.
  • Use bio-swales, rain gardens, green roofs and walls, and water-wise garden techniques.
  • Bio-filter wastes through constructed wetlands and landscaping irrigation, which uses grey water from showers and sinks.
  • Use integrated pest management techniques to avoid contamination.
  • Implement energy-efficient landscape design through proper placement and selection of trees for shade and wind breaks, as well as the use of sustainably harvested wood and recycled products.
  • Use permeable paving materials, which allow rain water to infiltrate the ground.

Sources and additional information:

Hotels / Bed and Breakfasts

A large number of hotels have implemented water conserving measures. For example, the towel-linen exchange program gives guests who stay multiple nights the option to not have their towels and linens laundered daily. There is much room for improvement in the hotel sector, however.

What hotels can do:
Water conservation measures for hotels can broadly be grouped into 2 main categories.

Equipment Measures: These primarily relate to replacing or substantially upgrading older equipment such as restrooms, ice machines, laundry equipment, and other appliances. Many of these upgrades can be made with a payback period of two years or less when incentives are factored in. The most significant equipment measures include:

  • Installing low-flush toilets
  • Replacing older showerheads
  • Upgrading faucet flow restrictors and lower flow aerators
  • Replacing old water-cooled ice machines with single pass water-cooled ice machines, or connecting the machines to existing water cooling recirculation systems
  • Installing ozone systems and rinse water recycle systems to reduce water used in laundry as well as associated water heating and chemical use
  • Replacing inefficient dishwaters.

Behavioural Measures: The most significant behavioural measures include:

  • Fixing toilet leaks and deteriorated toilet flappers
  • Installing sub-meters on cold water feed lines on heat exchangers and repairing heat exchangers as necessary
  • Installing sub-meters for other significant water consuming operations such as dishwashers, pools, spas, laundry, and irrigation systems to help employees learn when maintenance is necessary
  • Educating staff about how to conserve water during food preparation and using sub-metering to promote awareness
  • Publicizing programs such as the towel-linen program
  • Educating housekeeping staff about how to reduce toilet flushing during room cleaning

Many of the available water conservation opportunities also provide opportunities for energy conservation, which can save hotels from extra costs.

Source and additional information:

Spas and Pools

The amount of water used to fill and maintain a pool can be significantly reduced if the amounts of leakage and evaporation are reduced.

What spas, pools and pool servicing companies can do:

  • Install a pool cover to significantly reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation.
  • Regularly maintain the pool to prevent leakage.
  • Frequently clean the pool and deck area.
  • Monitor the pH level and chemical content in the pool.

Sources and additional information:

Restaurants

Restaurants use large amounts of water in kitchen areas and for domestic water use (e.g. restrooms, cleaning and maintenance).

Sources of inefficient water use in the kitchen include:

  • Continuous water flow used to wash drain trays.
  • Wasted ice from ice machines.
  • Prerinsing dishes in running water.
  • Running water used for food thawing.
  • Use of spray nozzles which can be replaced with low volume nozzles.
  • Unnecessary water flow.

Sources of inefficient domestic water use include:

  • Leaking toilets and faucets.
  • Plumbing leaks, and unnecessary flows.
  • Use of water-cooled air conditioning units when not needed; water-cooled equipment can be replaced with air-cooled systems.
  • Overuse of water in cleaning practises; when cleaning with water is necessary, budgeted amounts should be used.

What restaurants can do: