Water Reuse Methods Are Changing into A part of the Flight-to-High quality Equation

When we talk about office flight-to-quality, where occupants are increasingly focused on renting office space in high-end, modern buildings to better lure employees back to face-to-face work, the conversation usually revolves around a laundry list of amenities . It’s easy to forget that the flight to quality is primarily being driven by the growing emphasis on sustainability in the workplace and current market fundamentals are pushing energy efficient systems even further up the list of flight to quality must-haves.
Tenants are increasingly considering sustainability and climate resilience when choosing office space, and net-zero targets are paving the way for more energy-efficient buildings. Buildings designed to reduce energy consumption will become increasingly valuable as climate change approaches. Energy-saving features such as LED lighting, state-of-the-art HVAC systems and solar panels are being incorporated into Class A office buildings, but another sustainable feature that is gaining traction is on-site water reuse systems.
trickle-down economics
On-site water reuse systems in office buildings treat and recycle the building’s gray water (which is water from sources such as sinks, showers, and washing machines). The treated gray water can then be used for non-potable purposes like flushing toilets, irrigation, and even cooling data servers. This reduces the building’s fresh water requirements, which is particularly important in areas with water scarcity or drought. A prominent example of a wastewater reuse system in a Class A office building is the system installed in the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco. The building’s system collects gray water from sinks and showers, and then treats the water using a combination of physical and biological processes, including filtration, UV disinfection, and membrane bioreactors. The treated gray water is then used to flush toilets and irrigate the building’s roof garden.
If you’re reading this from one of the parched Southwest states, the rise of on-site water reuse systems in commercial buildings isn’t exactly new to you. Thanks to dwindling water supplies and population growth, California, Colorado, Florida and Texas have policies mandating the installation of water reuse systems that have either been passed or are on the legislature list. City council members in Sacramento and Austin made headlines for passing ordinances requiring new commercial buildings to install water reuse systems in their plumbing, both of which will go into effect later this year. Beginning in July 2023, new commercial developments in Sacramento that are 10,000 square feet or larger will require graywater systems for irrigation, while buildings larger than 50,000 square feet will need to install a dual plumbing system that would allow recycling of graywater throughout the building. Austin, on the other hand, will require new commercial and multi-family homes 250,000 square feet or larger to have on-site water reuse systems beginning in December 2023.
New York City also introduced its Water Conservation and Reuse Grant Pilot Program, which offers grants of up to $250,000 to fund the installation of eligible systems. The program aims to reduce the demand for drinking water and promote sustainable water management practices in commercial buildings. Eligible projects may include the installation of gray water systems, rainwater harvesting, or other non-potable water reuse initiatives. By providing financial support to install water reuse systems, the program encourages buildings to adopt sustainable practices and meet regulatory requirements, while reducing operating costs and promoting resilience in the face of potential water shortages or supply disruptions.
Barring a growing regulatory framework, offices with water reuse systems are a more desirable asset. On-site water reuse systems are becoming increasingly popular in office buildings due to their potential to conserve water resources and reduce costs associated with water use. Not to mention that thermal energy can be recovered from wastewater to heat buildings, effectively reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating a building.
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splash management
Water reuse systems can vary in complexity and design, with different types of systems offering different opportunities for treatment and reuse. A common type of system uses a physical treatment process that uses filters and membranes to remove impurities and contaminants from gray water before it is reused for non-potable purposes. Another option is a chemical treatment process, which may include methods like ozonation or reverse osmosis to purify the water more. The specific type of system selected for an office building depends on a number of factors, including the building’s water needs, the space available for installation, and the project budget. Despite the differences between the systems, they all aim to reduce the environmental impact of water use and create a more sustainable building by reducing water use. Regardless of the methodology, installing a water reuse system would be undeniably helpful in differentiating a building as a trophy facility as companies look to set up their operations in the most sustainable buildings.
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On-site water reuse systems can support municipal water supplies by reducing the need for fresh water and relieving pressure on existing water sources. By using treated wastewater for nonpotable purposes such as toilet flushing, landscaping irrigation, or HVAC system cooling, buildings can offset some of their dependence on municipal water systems. This, in turn, can help cities and communities conserve their freshwater resources and better manage water scarcity during droughts or other water crises. Additionally, using treated wastewater for non-potable purposes reduces the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated and discharged into the environment, which can benefit local waterways and ecosystems. Overall, on-site water reuse systems can play a valuable role in promoting sustainable water management and ensuring long-term water security for communities. By establishing a hyper-local wastewater treatment loop and reducing reliance on municipal plumbing, water reuse systems also increase a building’s resilience to flooding. On-site reuse systems are less susceptible to extreme weather conditions, hydraulic capacity limitations, combined sewer overflows, and other infrastructure issues than main water systems.
Water reuse systems become part of the Flight to Quality equation because they help promote sustainability and wellbeing in the workplace, which are key to users and investors. After all, the current battle for quality is as much about helping residents with their environmental goals as it is about luring employees into the shiniest office around. Because on-site water reuse systems in office buildings represent an innovative way to reduce a building’s water needs and contribute to sustainable water use, using a system becomes a convenience for owners and occupants. Owners can achieve cost savings by implementing a water reuse system, and users have another way to promote their sustainability efforts to employees, investors, and the public.