Commercial and institutional buildings depend on safe and reliable water supplies to operate effectively. Plumbing systems are critical not only for delivering water to facilities but for maintaining hygiene and preventing contamination. Poorly maintained systems can harbor pathogens such as Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaire’s disease, a serious, sometimes fatal form of pneumonia.
To address the water challenges facing facilities, the Aspen Institute recently launched the Aspen National Water Strategy, a comprehensive framework designed to strengthen water security across the United States. The strategy emphasizes that reliable access to safe and clean water is necessary for communities, ecosystems and the national economy. The strategy outlines six key priorities, including:
Beyond safe drinking water, many building systems also depend on water to function. Chillers, commonly used in HVAC systems, use water for heat exchange and cooling. Without proper water quality, scaling, corrosion and biological growth can reduce system performance and increase operational costs of the system. Similarly, irrigation systems used in landscaping depend on reliable water sources to sustain green spaces without wasting resources. Inefficient irrigation not only drives up costs but can also contribute to unnecessary water consumption.
The Aspen National Water Strategy highlights that water is a critical asset that keeps buildings safe and reliable. By prioritizing clean and safe water, managers can ensure that facilities play a central role in advancing water resilience for years to come.
Elaina Myers is the assistant editor of the facilities market.
