Reduce Water Waste

Why save water?

To save money, help the environment and this will also help your business to comply with current and future legislation. Be one step ahead and reduce your business’s carbon footprint.

One of the best ways to save water within the dental practice is to educate team members, they are probably not aware of how much water is wasted each day at home or in the Practice. Turning off the taps is the quickest way to stop water waste.

Invest in water-efficient goods – when replacing items, look for a water-saving products instead for example: Dishwashers, kettles, water saving toilets with dual flush for strong and low flush options.

Have a water meter installed, check bills haven’t suddenly risen, if they have there may be a leak somewhere.

Get water efficient, automatic or sensor taps, shower heads and efficient flush toilets (as mentioned earlier).

Use an instant hot water tap rather than using a kettle.

Think how many times a day that kettle is emptied and boiled and reboiled in your staffroom everyday? If not then at least get an energy efficient kettle

‘Instant hot water taps for the kitchen can use up to 50% less energy than traditional kettles. This energy efficiency does make them a more environmentally conscious choice. Boiling water taps also help cut down on water waste’.

Simple tips that can be adapted at home and work include:

Turning off the tap when you are cleaning your teeth. You do not need to leave this running.

Put a note in the patient’s toilets and staff changing rooms/toilets, to turn off the taps when brushing their teeth or washing their hands.

(You will quite often find patient will go into the toilet with their toothpaste and toothbrush before their appointment).

Be conscious how long you are in the shower for (some Dental Practices have showers too) to reduce the amount of water waste during a shower at home or at work.

When using the washing machine, dishwasher and the washer disinfector in the decontamination room, ensure there is a full load. (This cuts down on unnecessary washes, again some Dental Practices have washing machines and dishwashers).

Fix dripping taps. – a dripping tap can waste 15 litres of water a day or 5,500 litres of water a year.

Fill a jug of water and place it in the fridge, rather than running the tap until it gets cold.

This could be part of a daily habit in the workplace especially during the summer.

Check your meters regularly, especially at night when there is no water running, to check for leaks.

www.waterwise.org.uk offer training and guidance in becoming more water efficient.

Claire Frisby

THE REMOTE DENTAL NURSE