Prioritizing Water Efficiency in Building Design and Operations

William “Bill” Starkey is a Montgomery, Texas, real estate entrepreneur who guided Starkey Construction, LLC, for many years. Over the decades, William Starkey has gained a reputation for his green, sustainable approach to high-end residential projects.

One of the essential elements of any green building plan is integrating efficient water-use strategies. With many buildings, a good starting point is evaluating existing equipment and ensuring that it is operating at peak efficiency. For commercial structures, this may mean replacing laundry equipment and dishwashers with the latest generation of Energy Star models. Another efficiency booster is installing a hot water recirculating system. This eliminates the waste of non-heated water within the piping system before it reaches the desired temperature.

Another common issue is leaks associated with running toilets. Identifying the exact location of the leak can be complex and time consuming, and a comprehensive sub-metering system is recommended. Latest-generation solutions provide real-time dashboard monitoring of issues related to irrigation systems, cooling tower functionality, and hot water usage. Other water-related solutions include installing low-flow toilets and shower heads, as well as drip irrigation systems for watering plants on the property.