Water Conservation
Water conservation may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering a dentist’s office. Still, there are innumerable ways the dental industry can reduce its water footprint while delivering the most comprehensive dental care. At Studio Z Dental, we’re committed to the issue of water conservation, so we’ve taken steps to reduce our water usage. Here are a few examples of what we've done and continue to do.
As part of our commitment to being an eco-friendly dental office, Studio Z Dental recently completed an extensive water conservation audit. While we were already operating well within the efficiency levels required for the Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE) Water Conservation Area of Excellence, we implemented several protocols and technologies in our office to further enhance our water efficiency.
One of the more familiar pieces of dental equipment in a dentist’s office is the miniature whirlpool sinks used to wash away wastewater. Few offices still employ these devices, as most opt for the significantly more sanitary and energy-efficient mouth pump systems.
Did you know that traditional wet ring vacuum systems use 350 and 500 gallons of water daily, while dry vacuums use none? That’s why at Studio Z Dental, we installed completely waterless dry pumps, the most efficient and ecologically friendly option on the market.
Water conservation is a significant topic around the water cooler these days, so we’re excited to use waterless pumps, which will save us more than 200,000 gallons of water every year!
As few as 10% of dental offices nationwide have made the update to dry pump technology. We are proud to say that we are saving 77% more water than a typical dentist’s office, and we continually improve our systems to increase that number over time.
Water conservation means more than dollars and cents; we all have an ethical obligation to our community. It boils down to a simple list of responsible measures people can enact to conserve a precious resource from one generation to the next. Water conservation isn’t about being stingy; it’s about finding the efficient way to use and reuse a limited and valuable resource, and everyone can do their part.
Four Ways To Save Water In Your Own Home
Want to improve water conservation in your own home? Here are some quick water conservation tips:
Check for leaks monthly (and fix them when you find them).
Add a weight in your toilet tank to increase flush efficiency.
Have a professional energy/water use audit of your home.
Learn to read your water meter and bill closely every month. This is good practice for your home economy and can help you identify problems or anomalies with your water system.
Of course, you can also help improve water conservation by encouraging friends and local businesses to do the same. With your continued patronage and support, we hope to further improve our efficiency and continue serving the Front Range community for years to come.