The Western U.S., and in smaller regions on a more short-term basis in East Coast states have experienced one of the worst drought seasons this year. The U.S. Drought Monitor marks 100 weeks with at least 40% of the Lower 48 states covered by drought.
The fact is water usage and conservation almost go hand-in-hand these days. To help boost your organization’s water efficiency, the Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) have teamed up to scale the adoption of a new solution tool, The EDF-GEMI WaterMAPP.
EDF-GEMI Water Management Application (WaterMAPP) Toolkit, a Microsoft Excel-based spreadsheet featuring multiple tabs and three robust tools that collect data to make a strong case for investments in water efficiency:
- The EDF-GEMI Water Scorecard helps you assess your company’s water efficiency and can be used to create visibility for water performance at facilities. The Water Scorecard Guide offers an overview of the scorecard concept, and calculations used by AT&T in developing their first scorecard and provides detailed information about how you could develop your own scorecard.
- The Water Efficiency Calculator estimates water and financial savings from cooling towers or free-air cooling improvements — key data for making the water-efficiency investment business case.
- Cycles of Concentration Estimator takes information about your water quality and estimates the recommended maximum Cycles of Concentration (COC)—a key indicator of cooling tower water efficiency—when using chemicals to treat the water. It also helps identify appropriate non-chemical water treatment options to increase the potential COC.
The origins of the toolkit date back to 2012, when EDF and AT&T launched a pilot project to identify ways to lower water and energy usage in buildings. Based on that work, an initial WaterMAPP was developed. This latest iteration is the culmination of an effort by GEMI and EDF to redesign the toolkit and collaborate on its promotion and hosting to help facilities managers and their organizations cut energy and water usage in their buildings.
“As persistent drought conditions become the new normal in many areas of the country, organizations are looking for ways to cut their water use. This toolkit can help buildings use less water and energy, and save money in the process,” said Tom Murray, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at EDF.
EDF-GEMI WaterMAPP Introduction Webinar – Learn about the WaterMAPP tool and how it can help your organization reduce water use, with EDF and GEMI leaders in this introductory webinar. For assistance with being more efficient with water, contact Vanguard Resources.