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What can I do at work?

Droughts can impact an island over the long term, rather than immediately.

This provides the opportunity for businesses to make adjustments in procedures to conserve water. For some types of business, these steps are critical in reducing financial losses throughout the drought.

It is important that business owners take proactive steps to protect their business, because they are a vital part of the community.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) suggest that small business owners develop a Disaster Plan that includes mitigation activities. These activities are divided into the following categories:

Links for additional information are provided at the end of this page.

Facilities (Buildings & Equipment)

  1. Check water supply system for leaks.
  2. Turn off any unnecessary flows.
  3. Repair dripping faucets, showers and continuously running or leaking toilets.
  4. Install faucet aerators where possible.
  5. Reduce the load on air conditioning units by shutting off air conditioning when and where it is not needed.
  6. Reduce toilet water by adjusting flush valves or installing dams and flapper mechanisms.
  7. As appliances or fixtures wear out, replace them with water-saving models.
  8. Shut off water supply to equipment rooms not in use.
  9. Minimize the water used in cooling equipment in accordance with manufacturers recommendations. Shut off cooling units when not needed.
  10. Install an efficient irrigation system.

Operations

CAFETERIA AREA

  1. Turn off the continuous flow used to clean the drain trays.
  2. Turn dishwasher off when not in use. Wash full loads only.
  3. Use water from steam tables to wash down cooking area.
  4. Do not use running water to melt ice or frozen foods.
  5. Use water-conserving ice makers.
LANDSCAPING / EXTERIOR AREAS
  1. Inventory outdoor water use for landscaped areas.
  2. Water landscapes only when needed. Two-to-three times a week is usually sufficient.
  3. Water in the early morning or evening.
  4. Make sure that water does not run into the streets or alleys.
  5. Stop hosing down sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots.
  6. Use time controllers on sprinkler systems.
  7. Do not water on windy days
  8. Xeriscape by planting foliage that does not require a lot of water and by using other natural landscaping, such as decorative stones and rocks.
  9. Support water reclamation initiatives, particularly for irrigation, including the use of reclaimed, water from municipal, industrial, agricultural and other available sources, where practical.
  10. Consider using "greywater"
  11. Consider water recycling. Wastewater is cleaned for reclamation and reuse using constructed wetlands, and a greenhouse containing soil filters and an aquatic ecosystem.
MONITORING
  1. When cleaning with water is necessary, use budgeted amounts.
  2. Determine the quantity and purpose of water being used.
  3. Read water meter weekly to monitor success of water conservation efforts. Harvest rainwater for landscape use
  4. Assign an employee to monitor water use and waste.
  5. Seek employee suggestions on water conservation; locate suggestion boxes in prominent areas.
  6. Determine other methods of water conservation.

Critical Information and Communication

  1. Increase employee awareness of water conservation.
  2. Install signs encouraging water conservation in employee and customer restrooms.

Insurance

  1. Purchase crop insurance. The Federal Crop Insurance protects farmers or ranchers from unexpected production losses from natural causes, including drought, excessive moisture, hail, wind, flooding, hurricanes, tornados, and lightning. It does not cover losses resulting from neglect, poor farming practices, theft, or low prices.

    Hawaii's USDA's Farm Service Agency provides information on farm loans, conservation techniques, environmental practices, emergency assistance, and domestic and international food assistance programs. Click here for more information or, contact them on Oahu at: (808) 483-8600 Ext. 2.

  2. Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) ECP shares with agricultural producers the cost of rehabilitating eligible farmlands damaged by natural disaster. During severe drought, ECP also provides emergency water assistance - both for livestock and for existing irrigation systems for orchards and vineyards.

    ECP may be made available in areas without regard to a Presidential or Secretarial emergency disaster designation.

  3. Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) NAP is for crops for which crop insurance is not available. It provides assistance for farmers who grow such crops, limiting their losses from natural disaster and helping to manage their overall business risk.

  4. Emergency Loans. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides low-interest EM loan assistance to eligible farmers to help cover production and physical losses in counties declared as disaster areas by the President or designated by the Secretary of Agriculture. The FSA Administrator may also authorize EM loan assistance to cover physical losses only.

  5. Disaster Assistance Programs are also offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for individuals as well as public assistance programs that helps state and local governments.

For more information you can visit the following websites: