Water Efficiency Practices for Laundry Facilities

Laundry facilities vary in size from industrial operations to self-service machine businesses. Laundry op-erations can use the water efficiency practices in this fact sheet to save water and the costs associated with water supply and discharge. A large amount of energy goes into heating water for washing. Reducing the amount of water used in laundry operations will also save on energy costs. A comprehensive audit should be performed to assess the facility’s water system and identify locations where these practices can be em-ployed to conserve water. See fact sheet WD-DWGB-26-16, “Performing a Business or Industry Water Use and Conservation Audit,” for directions.

• Wash full loads only.
  
  
• Reduce water volumes for partial loads.
  
  
• Install a system to reuse rinse water for wash water make-up. Computer controlled rinse water rec-lamation systems can save as much as 25 percent over conventional systems.
  
  
• Employ a rinse water or wash water treatment system to allow reclamation and reuse of the water in laundry operations. These systems treat wastewater for reuse in initial wash cycles and can save up to 50 percent of total water use for the entire system.
  
  
• Investigate washing systems that internally reuse rinse water and wash water in a continuous batch or “tunnel” type process with counter current flow. These washers can reduce water use by as much as 60 percent when compared with washer-extractor types. They also use less chemicals and energy and are less labor-intensive.
  
  
• Install an ozone laundry system that uses ozone rather than detergent as a cleaning agent. These systems work on a closed loop process and use cold water only. Water needed for the rinse cycle is reduced since no detergent is present.
  
  
• Schedule wash loads carefully to minimize the need to adjust the chemical/detergent composition and machine variables. Develop methods using minimum water requirements based on load soil conditions and treatment requirements.
  
  
• Install water saving devices on all fixtures.
  
  
• Inspect and repair valves, sensors and other controls regularly.
  
  
• Utilize static rinse tanks where feasible.
  
  
• Meter flows through the cleaning systems for more effective operations control. By metering flows, minimum flow rates can be accurately maintained.
  
  
• Back-flush filter systems only when necessary.
  
  
• Replace conventional machines in Laundromats with water saving horizontal axis machines. These washers rotate laundry rather than agitating it and use much less water.
  
  
• Post water efficiency signs telling customers how they can save water and money by washing full loads only or lowering the water level settings on partial loads.

For Additional Information
Please contact the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau at (603) 271-2513 or dwgbinfo@des.nh.gov or visit our website at www.des.nh.gov/dwgb. All of the bureau’s fact sheets are on-line at www.des.nh.gov/dwg.htm.

NHDES Water Conservation Program, www.des.nh.gov/h2o_conservation.htm

Pennsylvania DEP, General water conservation tips for laundries.
www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/subject/hotopics/drought/facts/laundry.htm

US EPA, Energy Star, Listing of commercial washers that meet the Energy Star rating.
www.energystar.gov/products/clotheswashers/commercial-cw.shtml

References:
_____, MRI Water Conservation Technical Bulletin #8, Water Conservation Best Management Practices Laundry Facilities; New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, Wilmington, MA; 1996.
_____; MIL-Handbook-1165, Water Conservation; US Dept. of Defense; 1997; pp 51-55. Vickers, Amy; Handbook of Water Use and Conservation; WaterPlow Press, Amherst, MA; 2001; pp 278-278.

Note: This fact sheet is accurate as of October 2007. Statutory or regulatory changes, or the availability of additional information after this date may render this information inaccurate or incomplete.