Using water-efficient equipment, technology and practices will lower your utility costs while saving a vital community resource. Using less hot water reduces both water and energy bills.

• Get Cash Incentives to Cut Water Use
• Refrigeration Systems
• Food Steamers
• Toilet and Urinal Replacements
• Dishwasher Upgrades
• New Construction and Major Remodel Projects
• Irrigation Systems


• Other Water-Saving Steps



• Resources

Restaurants that are served by water providers in the Saving Water Partnership can get financial assistance to conduct technical studies and implement water-conservation measures.

Refrigeration Systems
Incentives of up to 50% of the cost of improving commercial refrigeration system components.

• Contact WSTP manager Philip Paschke for more information.
• Get the WSTP application (pdf).

Food Steamers
Cash incentives of up to $1,500 for replacing inefficient food steamers.

• Contact WSTP manager Philip Paschke for more information.
• Get the WSTP application (pdf).

Toilet and Urinal Replacements
Rebates of $80 to $120 per fixture for replacing older flush valve toilets and urinals with more water-efficient models.

Free replacements or rebates of $80 per fixture for replacing older tank toilets with FlushStar toilets that perform well and save water.

• Get details on the Toilet Rebate program.

Dishwasher Upgrades
Cash incentives for upgrading to high-efficiency dishwashers.

New Construction and Major Remodel Projects
Cash rebates for installing high efficiency toilets and urinals and other water conservation technologies in commercial construction projects. Pre-approval is required.

• Read more about New Construction Incentives.
• Contact Philip Paschke for more information.
• Get the New Construction Incentive application (pdf).

Irrigation Systems
Rebates for upgrading existing or new systems with evapotranspiration controllers, soil moisture sensors, rain sensors, weather-based automated scheduling and other water-conservation features. Irrigation system upgrades save water and improve landscapes by avoiding over-watering.

• Contact irrigation program manager Jenna Smith for more information.
• Get details on Irrigation and Sprinkler System Rebates.

• Find and repair leaks. If the water is hot, you're paying for wasted energy as well as water.
• Replace restroom and kitchen faucet nozzles (aerators) with affordable low-flow faucets. Other options include faucets that operate "hands free" or with automatic shutoff features.
• Reduce wash and ice loads by serving customers water only when they ask for it. The Washington State Restaurant Association distributes free conservation table tents to inform your customers (1-800-225-7166).
• Use a pressure regulator to reduce the water volume in the dishwasher. Only use as much water as the manufacturer specifies. Check that water only flows when the dishes enter the machine.
• When manually washing dishes, fill the second sink for dipping dishes and equipment, instead of using running water. Install manual triggers on all sink spray hoses.
• Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator, rather than with running water.
• Install foot pedal or other manual controls so that garbage disposal water only runs when needed. Even better, consider donating edible food and signing up for food waste collection and eliminate the use of a garbage disposal.

Visit the Resource Venture or call (206) 343-8505 for tested business solutions to conserve water. The Resource Venture is a service sponsored by Seattle Public Utilities and the Saving Water Partnership. All restaurants served by water providers in the Saving Water Partnership are eligible for assistance and rebates.

Read about the Water Smart Technology Program, which offers cash incentives for replacing water-wasting equipment or technologies with efficient ones.

Download the Water Cost Calculator (xls) to estimate how much money you can save on utility bills by switching to more efficient equipment, technology and procedures.

Read case studies of how property owners saved by retrofitting their fixtures with new efficient ones.