Researchers report that every year, the United States loses 2.1 trillion gallons of water because of aging and leaky pipes, faulty meters, and broken water mains. As a laundromat owner, you know that water is an essential component to your business, making a direct impact on your day-to-day operations and bottom line. Infrastructure across the United States is beginning to age, causing many communities to think about replacing their water groundwork to be more efficient and effective. Unfortunately for vended laundry owners, this means increased fees and rates on your utility bills because of the high costs associated with replacement. Although water rates and regulations vary by geographical location, water in general is becoming a direct threat to all laundromat owners.

 Factors that are Threatening Water Supplies  

Self-service laundry isn’t the only industry feeling threatened by the aging water infrastructure. According to the American Water Works Association (AWWA) 2016 State of the Water Industry Report, respondents across all industries ranked these top water issues as a concern:

 

Rank:	Water-Related Concern:
1	Renewal & replacement of aging water and wastewater infrastructure
2	Financing for capital improvements
3	Public understanding of the value of water systems and services
4	Long-term water supply availability
5	Public understanding of the value of water resources

 

Although the geographical location of your laundromat affects these water-related issues, there are some general water factors to be aware of that may have a direct impact on your business:

• Increases in the cost of electricity, chemicals and fuel used to supply and treat water
• Staying in compliance with federal clean-water regulations
• Municipalities paying off the debt accrued to fund high cost repairs on aging water systems
• Increases in safeguards for water systems since 9/11

How to Reduce the Threat Water Has on Your Laundromat

As communities throughout the United States continue to age, replacing water infrastructure is inevitable. You, as a laundromat owner, can take precautions to help reduce the costs associated with your water and utility bills every month. Some of these include:

• Upgrading Your Commercial Laundry Equipment: Replacing your commercial laundry equipment with new machines allows for better energy efficiency and higher vend prices to help cut costs on utility bills and off-set any increases in utility rates & fees.
• Performing Preventative Maintenance: Running coin laundry preventative maintenance ensures that you’re checking essential commercial laundry equipment components like water inlet valves and hose connections for unnecessary water leaks. 
• Staying Informed: Knowledge is power when it comes to water issues surrounding the coin laundry industry. Staying informed on current issues surrounding the nation’s water and understanding how your water is being metered & charged is key. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get involved in local legislative actions.

Overall, the vended laundry industry is facing the long-term threat of water and raise in costs. Gaining a better understanding of this hot-button issue and taking the proper steps to reduce price increases is key to running a successful laundromat. Pittsburgh Laundry Systems is committed to helping coin laundry owners stay competitive and grow their businesses. If you’re looking to upgrade your commercial laundry equipment to help reduce water and sewer rates by 35-50%, contact us today if you’re located in the Pittsburgh Laundry Systems sales & service area!