When laboratory sustainability concerns arise, often the first element that enters the conversation is energy—usually in relation to fume hoods and/or lighting. More often than not, water conservation is ignored or at least given a low priority. But, that’s not an effective strategy when there are typically multiple water-intensive instruments in just one lab. Additionally, reducing water consumption reduces overall energy use, thereby furthering the “green goal” with little effort. In fact, water conservation is relatively easy to implement and has an immediate effect on efficiency and sustainability. Here are a few water-saving suggestions to get you started on the path from blue to green.
1. Focus on water type and reverse osmosis
First and foremost, be sure to use the right quality of water for your application. Ultrapure water is required for the most demanding applications, such as HPLC, cell cultures, gel electrophoresis, etc. But when it comes to glassware rinsing/washing or basic applications, tap water can be used.
A water audit of the Biological Research Tower at Ohio State University in 2021 found that the biggest use of water in its labs was the requirement of reverse osmosis (RO) water for experiments. While the labs had the appropriate equipment to produce the water, up to 25 gallons were being wasted. The Water Resources Engineer realized the amount of wasted water is dependent on the age and condition of the membrane filters in the unit—meaning it is critical for labs to keep up with membrane and filter maintenance to reach sustainability goals.1
Additionally, Recognizing the waste in the RO process, some manufacturers have improved their technology. For example, MilliporeSigma’s E.R.A. technology (evolutive reject adjustment) on large flow systems optimizes water recovery from the RO membrane, reducing water use by up to 50% compared with the previous generation of RO systems. In addition to significant savings in water, this results in a longer pre-treatment cartridge lifetime—further reducing plastic waste.
2. Keep up with maintenance
Proper equipment maintenance and infrastructure configuration also increase sustainability. Carrying out regular repairs as soon as leaky taps and pipe issues arise ensures water wastage is kept to a minimum. Innovative technologies can be implemented that track pipe conditions and create alerts as soon as the damage occurs so lab teams can act as quickly as possible to rectify the problem.2
Effective equipment cleaning and maintenance can also increase overall water, energy, and cost efficiency. Even if costs are incurred in the short term, RO membranes and filters that are old or in poor condition can waste huge amounts of water in the long term. In addition, turning down the water pressure of your lab can limit excess water consumption.2 Working with water manufacturers that offer preventative maintenance appointments and quality service can help lab managers stay ahead of potential problems.
3. Install low-flow aerators
Low-flow aerators can help reduce faucet flow from 4.0 gallons/minute to <1.5 gallons/minute.3 Low-flow aerators simply screw onto the end of faucets and reduce flow without changing water pressure. It’s an easy and inexpensive option that will significantly reduce water usage. In a case study conducted at UC San Diego in 2018, low-flow aerators installed in labs across the campus saved an incredible 926,000 gallons of potable water per year.
Another possibility would be to identify opportunities to retrofit equipment with more modern energy- and water-efficient components, offering significant environmental and economic benefits. One study showed that using research—rather than medical-grade—autoclaves used 81% less energy and 93% less water in each use.2
4. Eliminate single-pass cooling
In single-pass or once-through cooling systems water is circulated only once through a piece of equipment before being disposed of. This is in contrast to closed-loop or recirculating systems, which reuse water continuously. In analytical laboratories, single-pass cooling is most often found in equipment such as autoclaves and ice makers. It is also commonly used to cool reactions in chemistry. Single-pass cooling is not only wasteful but—as many labs know—it can also be a flood risk and safety hazard. To maximize water savings, single-pass cooling equipment should either be modified to recirculate water or, if possible, be eliminated altogether. An air-cooled condenser or recirculating water bath are green-friendly equipment alternatives to single-pass cooling. If your budget is tight, an ice bucket and a fish pump combine to make a perfect DIY recirculating water bath.3
5. Consider a vacuum pump
Water vacuum aspirators need about 2 gallons of water per minute to work properly. Running them for just 2 hours a day wastes over 60,000 gallons of water per year. That’s the annual water usage for 750+ people. Instead, lab managers may want to consider switching to a vacuum pump that does not require water usage. Vacuum pumps offer greater control and better performance than a water vacuum aspirator, not to mention a far better alternative for the environment.3
6. Pursue a My Green Lab Certification
Recognized by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign as a key measure of progress towards a zero-carbon future, My Green Lab Certification is considered the gold standard for laboratory sustainability best practices around the world. The program provides scientists and teams that support laboratories with actionable ways to make meaningful change. To date, My Green Lab has supported over 2,000 labs in a range of sectors.3
Achieving certification can help change the mindset in a laboratory by building a culture of sustainability and helping lab personnel rethink “how things have always been done.” Additionally, My Green Labs programs align with corporate or institutional sustainability goals and strategies, making the programs ideal for those who may have already started a sustainability journey or have strict corporate guidelines.
Ultimately, the certification program helps laboratories implement best practices, decrease operational costs by reducing waste, and prevent unnecessary energy and water use. Combining these factors enhances overall lab health, safety, and fun while increasing employee engagement and possibly reducing personnel turnover.
References
- https://si.osu.edu/news/WaterSuccesses031021
- https://www.evoqua.com/en-GB/blog/steps-to-sustainability-lab-water/
- https://www.mygreenlab.org/blog-beaker/top-9-actions-to-take-in-the-lab-to-improve-water-efficiency