HIW Corporate Resiliency Report 2021 FINAL - Flipbook - Page 21
WATER
Water costs continue to rise across the country
due to the growing cost of upgrading aging utility
infrastructure and water scarcity caused by climate
change and increased development pressures. We are
actively managing these risks by closely monitoring
the water performance of our managed portfolio
in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, monitoring
interval water data for select assets, installing high
efficiency equipment and technologies and providing
guidance to our coworkers and customers on water
conservation practices.
To identify leaks and water conservation
opportunities, we continue to monitor interval
water data using state-of-the art Internet-of-Things
(IoT) technology at select assets in Atlanta, Raleigh,
Tampa, Orlando and Nashville. We are installing high
efficiency plumbing fixtures across our portfolio
during renovations and provide training to our
engineering team on best practices, including cooling
tower optimization, leak detection and condensate
recovery. In 2021, we launched a smart irrigation
controls pilot program in our Orlando portfolio to reduce
unnecessary irrigation waste. In new developments, we
target a 30-40% water reduction over code requirements
to meet our LEED certification goals.
In 2022, we intend to target new properties for water
efficiency upgrades and evaluate new strategies and
technologies that will help us continue to reduce
water usage across our portfolio.
LANDMARK I, ORLANDO
In 2021, our Engineering Co-op students identified properties with high irrigation
water use intensity, and we launched a pilot program at Landmark One in Orlando
to test smart irrigation management systems. The smart irrigation controls
reduced irrigation water usage at the property by 65% and provided a 6-month
return on investment. We plan to expand this pilot program in 2022 to other
properties with high-use irrigation systems.
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