The 5 Most Effective Ways to Reduce Water Consumption in Commercial Buildings

Water is one of the most mismanaged resources in modern infrastructure. While residential water usage often receives attention, commercial buildings quietly consume and waste far greater volumes every single day. Offices, malls, hotels, hospitals, airports, IT parks, and institutional facilities use potable water not only for drinking, but also for flushing, cleaning, landscaping, cooling, and maintenance. In a country like India - already facing groundwater depletion and seasonal water stress, this level of consumption is neither sustainable nor future-ready.

What makes the issue more concerning is that most of this wastage is avoidable. 

With the right combination of intelligent sanitation design, efficient fixtures, water reuse systems, and behavioral awareness, commercial buildings can drastically reduce water consumption without compromising hygiene, comfort, or user satisfaction. 

Below are five proven and highly effective strategies that enable commercial spaces to transition from water-intensive to water-smart infrastructure. 

1. Switch to Waterless Urinals: Eliminating Water Use at the Source 

Washrooms are among the highest water-consuming zones in any commercial building. In high-footfall locations such as malls, airports, corporate offices, and hotels, urinals are flushed hundreds - sometimes thousands, of times a day. 

A conventional urinal consumes 2–4 liters of water per flush. Over a year, this translates into an enormous volume of potable water being used for a purpose that does not actually require water at all. 

The Waterless Advantage 

Zerodor Waterless Urinals by Ekam Eco Solutions eliminate the need for flushing. These systems operate without water, without chemicals, and without cartridges, while maintaining high standards of hygiene and zero odor through advanced design and bio-enzyme technology. 

Why This Matters 

• Each Zerodor urinal can save up to 1.5 lakh litres of water annually 

• Eliminates water usage, plumbing complexity, and flush-related breakdowns 

• Reduces electricity consumption associated with pumping and water treatment 

• Cuts down housekeeping effort and chemical dependency 

By addressing water wastage at the source, waterless urinals represent one of the highest-impact sustainability interventions available to commercial buildings today. 

2. Install Low-Flush Toilets, Low-Flow Fixtures & Water Aerators 

Not every water-saving solution requires large investments or structural changes. Some of the most powerful results come from small, smart upgrades in everyday fixtures. 

Low-Flush Toilets . Traditional toilets use excessive water per flush, often far more than required. Low-flush and dual-flush toilets are designed to deliver the same hygiene and efficiency using significantly less water. In high-usage commercial restrooms, this single change can lead to millions of liters saved annually. 

Water Aerators for Handwashing 

Handwashing is essential for hygiene, but it doesn’t need excessive water flow. Water aerators, when installed on taps, mix air with water to maintain pressure while reducing actual water usage by 30–50%.  Users experience no difference in comfort, but the building experiences immediate and measurable savings. Sometimes, a 5% change in infrastructure creates a 50% impact on the planet. 

3. Fix Leaks Early & Monitor Water Usage Consistently 

Water loss is not always visible. A slow-dripping tap, a leaking flush valve, or an underground pipe leak can waste hundreds of liters per day often without anyone noticing. 

Over time, these issues result in: 

• Increased water bills 

• Structural damage 

• Higher maintenance costs 

• Unnecessary strain on water resources 

  
  

Smarter Water Management 

Commercial buildings must adopt a preventive approach rather than reactive repairs. This includes: 

• Regular plumbing inspections 

• Scheduled maintenance audits 

• Smart water meters and monitoring systems 

Tracking water usage patterns helps identify abnormalities early, ensuring that wastage is addressed before it becomes a larger problem. 

4. Reuse Water Through Greywater & Sewage Treatment Systems 

One of the biggest opportunities in commercial water conservation lies in reusing water instead of discarding it after a single use. 

Greywater Reuse 

Greywater generated from handwash basins, sinks, and AC condensate is relatively clean and can be treated easily. Once treated, it can be reused for: 

• Toilet flushing 

• Floor and surface cleaning 

• Landscaping and gardening 

  
  

Sewage Water Treatment Plants (STPs) 

Treated sewage water can be safely reused for non-potable applications such as: 

• Gardening and green zones 

• Cooling towers and HVAC systems 

• External washing and cleaning 

By implementing greywater reuse and STPs, large commercial facilities can reduce their dependence on fresh water by 40–60%, making them far more resilient during water shortages. 

5. Harvest Rainwater & Build a Water-Conscious Culture 

Rainwater Harvesting 

Rainwater harvesting systems allow buildings to capture and store rainwater or recharge groundwater. This not only reduces dependency on municipal supply but also supports long-term water security, especially during dry seasons. When integrated with reuse systems, rainwater harvesting becomes a powerful contributor to circular water management. 

Culture Is the Missing Link . Technology alone cannot solve the water crisis. People play a critical role. Employees, housekeeping staff, facility managers, and even visitors must be made aware of responsible water practices. 

Signage, training sessions, and internal awareness campaigns help embed sustainability into everyday behavior, ensuring that water-saving measures deliver lasting impact. 

The Ekam Way: Building Water-Smart, Future-Ready Infrastructure 

At Ekam Eco Solutions, we believe that intelligent sanitation is the foundation of sustainable infrastructure.  Through innovations like Zerodor Waterless Urinals and enzyme-powered cleaning solutions, we help commercial establishments: 

• Save lakhs of liters of water every year 

• Reduce operational, plumbing, and electricity costs 

• Minimize housekeeping workload 

• Achieve long-term ESG and sustainability goals 

Water conservation is no longer a matter of preference; it is a responsibility. And every commercial building has the power to become a change agent. 

Let’s move beyond efficiency. Let’s build water-positive spaces.