Water is an essential resource necessitating sustainable management practices. SDG target 6.3 focuses on halving the amount of untreated wastewater and greatly enhancing global recycling and safe reuse by 2030. SDG indicator 6.3.1 tracks the proportion of total, industrial, and domestic sewage that meets national or local treatment standards. Water stress affects residential, industrial, and agricultural sectors worldwide. The global platform 50L Home promotes water circularity, resilient water management, and carbon efficiency. According to its observation, “On average, the energy required for household water use is approximately 18% of total energy use in the home, contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.”

Why does Property Management need to focus on Water Management?

A strong water management system is essential for environmental and operational sustainability and for safeguarding the health and well-being of communal housing residents. Governmental and non-governmental ecological protection agencies are becoming more watchful of water pollution and consumption. Regulations are continuously being established and updated, aiming at water conservation and environmental preservation. Consequently, housing societies need to develop innovative strategies to ensure the health and well-being of residents while maximising water conservation.

The prevalent challenges associated with transitioning from a disposable wastewater model to a practice of optimised freshwater usage, efficient wastewater treatment, and the reuse of treated wastewater within communal housing water management regimes.

• Lack of access to adequate clean domestic water
• Poor monitoring systems for drinking water quality and continuity.
• Minimal or no recycling and reuse of treated safe wastewater
• Insufficient metering system for tracking water flow usage.
• Inadequate understanding of water sustainability issues.

Why is treated wastewater reuse significant for the Housing Society?

• Reusing treated wastewater is a key approach to achieving water sustainability, as envisioned by 50L Home’s goal of “daily 50L per person that feels like 500L”.
• Groundwater is depleting at an accelerated rate, necessitating government authorities to implement regulations concerning water extraction hawkishly.
• City Administrators are dealing with significant water scarcity and environmental pollution, mandating stringent water supply and sewage discharge norms for group housing.
• On average, wastewater is estimated to account for 80% of the domestic water supply. The target for efficient treatment and reuse of wastewater is 40%, with a progressively higher share of total wastewater generation in the coming years.
• The energy expenditure constitutes a substantial portion of the overall operational costs associated with water management. Housing societies aiming for sustainability accreditation and certification necessitate implementing adequate water and energy management systems.

Property Manager’s approach

1. Design Parameters of a Sewage Treatment Plant

• Challenges for Property Managers
  • Lack of sufficient knowledge regarding design intent and details.
  • Undercapacity of the STP is a common issue within the Group Housing Society.
  • Assessing the design and construction gap poses a significant challenge for Property Management’s in-house team.

2. Options for Reuse of Treated Wastewater in Group Housing

• Challenges in Group Housing Society
  • Cultural and perception barriers hinder the acceptance of recycled wastewater for domestic non-potable use.
  • Inadequate maintenance leads to frequent failures in treating grey and black water at the Sewage Treatment Plant. The quality of recycled wastewater supplied to residential units, landscaping, and other usage points deteriorates, leaving end users unaware of the system’s failures.
  • There is also insufficient monitoring of the availability of treated wastewater for reuse.
  • The Property Management team has not effectively established a mechanism to resolve end-user complaints.
    • Reuse options   

3. Choice of Sewage Water Treatment technology

Various technologies have been established in the sewage treatment engineering sphere.

• Challenges in choosing the right technology–
  • The growing demand for reusing treated wastewater has required the implementation of suitable technology based on operational needs loads from the outset of the construction phase and during any modifications and expansions. Property Management would need subject matter experts to identify the most suitable technology.
  • Subject matter experts and stakeholders must deeply dive into the cost viability of installation, operations, and maintenance.
  • Innovative solutions requiring capital investment are being slowly adopted. A comprehensive risk assessment is essential to building a business case for adopting new technology.

Implementing new technology is intended to achieve specific objectives related to reuse. The selection process for appropriate technology necessitates careful evaluation of both on-site and off-site options, considering factors such as land area (sqm/KL), capital investment (INR/KL), operational costs, reliability, and maintainability.

4. Metering and monitoring the domestic water system

• Challenges in metering water system
  • General negligence regarding water sustainability is evident.
  • The lack of financial motivations for water conservation resulted in most users relying on unmetered water.
  • Without a metering system, the maintenance team operates on flawed assumptions about water utilisation.
  • Insufficient metering data prevents proactive maintenance and operational measures from being implemented.
  • Consequently, sustainability initiatives and reporting suffer.

In group housing societies, smart meters can be installed to monitor, control, report and analyse water availability and usage and identify opportunities for conservation.

Bulk metering systems should be designed by zone and group consumers within a system or subsystem to conduct a water audit.  This approach will help pinpoint areas where water is being wasted.

5. Service Level Benchmarks

The terms of service level are intended to establish appropriate expectations among service partners and stakeholders. The service level delineates the guiding principles from a design, construction, operations, and maintenance perspective.

• Challenges arise in the implementation of these standards in setting and effectively implementing Service Level terms are –
  • The design and construction of the sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been inadequately executed to curtail capital expenditures.
  • Financial incentives and sustainability certifications are confined to a few group housing societies.
  • The cost recovery mechanism for wastewater treatment plants’ construction, operation, and maintenance has not been meticulously designed.
  • There is a significant lack of awareness regarding sewage pollutants’ environmental, public health, and well-being impacts.
  • The limitations surrounding advanced technology and innovations to achieve qualitative and capacity-handling objectives are notable.

Service level benchmarks

• • Coverage of Sewerage (100%)
  • Treatment Capacity Quality of Sewerage Treatment Plant (100%)
  • Reuse and recycle of sewage (20%)
  • Cost recovery in wastewater management (100%)
  • Redressal of Customer Complaints (80%)
  • Extent of metering of watering connections (100%)

The Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO-India) has outlined standards for the quality of treated wastewater.

6. Water Conservation

• • Promote public awareness concerning water sustainability.
  • Utilise treated wastewater and harvested rainwater for irrigation, toilet flushing, cooling towers, and vehicle washing.
  • Promote the use of water meters or timers among consumers.
  • Implement strategies to identify and mitigate water leakages. Particular attention should be paid to leaking toilets, sink faucets, and showerheads, as these account for a significant portion of water wastage.
  • Minimise the flushing volume of water closets, showers, kitchen sinks, and toilet handwashing facilities.
  • Promote drought-resistant planting alongside efficient irrigation systems.
  • Encourage the adoption of water-efficient appliances, including washing machines and dishwashers.

Sewage water treatment plant operation and maintenance are vital for property management services. The Property/Facility Management team is responsible for maintaining the system, with the primary goal of promoting the environmental sustainability objectives set forth. Whether through sustainability certifications or not, maintaining the STP and repurposing treated wastewater is crucial in contemporary group housing societies.

“Many of the wars this century were about oil, but those of the next century will be over water.”

– Ismail Serageldin, Vice President, World Bank-1995.

Wastewater treatment and reuse are critical in conserving water resources and promoting sustainable practices. The process involves a complex set of challenges for both the design and construction team and the facility management team over the system’s lifespan. Treating wastewater requires addressing technical hurdles while reusing it, which brings forth significant challenges related to public acceptance, compliance with local and national regulations, and potential health implications. Facility managers are tasked with carefully evaluating the associated risks, navigating regulatory requirements, addressing health considerations, and assessing the advantages of implementing a wastewater treatment and reuse program.

Government Policy, Regulatory Guidelines for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse-

• The Haryana State Government released the Reuse of Treated Wastewater Policy 2019 to achieve 50% reuse of Treated Wastewater (TWW) by 2025 and 80% reuse of TWW by 2030.
• Achieve 100 percent treatment of collected sewage per Central Pollution Control Board/ State Pollution Control Board norms.
• Every municipality must utilize at least 25% of the treated wastewater within the time range established by the local body’s policy.
  • To reuse 50% Treated Wastewater (TWW) by 2025
  • To reuse 80% TWW by 2030
• Safe Reuse of Treated Water (SRTW)
  • The government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and achievement of SDG 6.3 is to improve water quality through increased recycling and safe reuse.
• ISO Guidelines for treated wastewater use for irrigation projects (Part-1, 2, 3 & 4), i.e., ISO16075-1, ISO16075-2, ISO16075-3 & ISO16075-4.

Guiding Principles and Engineering – Toilet Flushing

• Active participation from all stakeholders is crucial to guarantee the universal acceptance of treated wastewater reuse.
• Reusing treated wastewater for toilet flushing is acceptable only after physical filtration through activated carbon and ultra-filtration membranes.
• It shall not be made mandatory in layouts and confined condominiums.
• A risk management program must be in place to ensure the safe reuse of treated wastewater and protect the health of end-users.
• The fundamental costs, sustainability, and public acceptance principles must guide the reusing of treated wastewater.

In major metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai, treated grey water is used for toilet flushing in some prominent condominiums and high-rise apartment complexes. Care should be taken to ensure that Ultrafiltration membranes are used in the treatment process to safeguard against chances of waterborne diseases.

The STPs based on Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) and Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) are the predominant technologies in the State of Haryana, India.

Challenges of Wastewater Management

• Capacity Gap – Gap between generated sewage and installed Sewage Treatment Plant capacity. High cost of installation, operation, and maintenance of advanced technology for treating wastewater.
• Dependence on older versions of technologies for wastewater treatment. High cost of installation, operation, and maintenance of advanced technology for treating wastewater.
• The negligent monitoring and maintenance regime causes a decline in the quality of treated wastewater, severely limiting its potential for reuse in horticulture and other non-potable water applications.
• Potential pathogenic health risks from untreated or inadequately treated wastewater in households. Lack of expertise in health and environmental risk assessment and mitigation.
• Negative public perception of reusing treated wastewater.

Assessing Scope 3 Emissions for Buildings- Challenges and Solutions

51% of India’s top 100 listed companies disclosed their Scope 3 data for FY23 despite it being a voluntary disclosure in the BRSR: PwC India Report

The measurement and reporting of carbon emissions have been widely embraced across various business sectors. Reporting on carbon emissions, establishing baselines, achieving emission reductions, and benchmarking have become integral to contemporary responsible business policies and practices. The preservation of the environment is widely acknowledged as fundamental to the principles of sustainability at individual, societal, and regional levels.

The UNEP reports that the building and construction sector contributes approximately 37% of global carbon emissions. According to an IEA report in 2023, in 2022, building sector emissions represent around a third of total energy system emissions, including building operations (26%) and embodied emissions (7%) associated with producing materials used for their construction. Out of the total global emissions, 8% accounts for direct emissions from buildings, while 18% stems from indirect emissions linked to the production of electricity and heat used in buildings.

The facility manager is responsible for assessing and improving the skills of facility team members, who are integral to the effective execution of building services operating procedures and practices in alignment with the sustainability principles endorsed by business owners and property stakeholders. Moreover, the facility service team has access to the field metering regime, which enables them to derive insightful analytical observations essential to the sustainability program.

1. Why is accounting for Scope 3 emissions necessary?

According to the CDP Technical Report (June 2024), Scope 3 emissions make up over 93% of total emissions in the Real Estate sector. However, reporting Scope 3 carbon emissions presents a formidable challenge for facility owners and service providers.

2. Recognise the Challenges –

3. Corporate Management of GHG emissions

4. Standards to refer to

5. Facility Management Carbon Management in Value Chain of Building Infrastructures (Ref. EN 15978)

6. Solutions to look for

Facility Management plays a crucial role in proactively managing environmental impact. This includes establishing clear boundaries, setting key performance indicators, selecting appropriate calculation methodologies, and conducting insightful historical and future projections analysis.

Choice of Air Conditioning system for Building Services

Selecting the right air conditioning system for building services is not just a task; it’s a crucial step that can significantly impact the efficiency and reliability of building operations. To make the best choice, it’s essential to thoroughly evaluate key considerations such as purpose, initial and operating costs, and installation and operational requirements.

When troubleshooting air conditioning systems, paying attention to high probability and high-impact failures documented in the operational history or derived from industry-specific information is essential.

Broadly, many tailored design systems are adopted for Heating, Ventilation, and Air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. The design approach begins with a needs statement from the end-use customer. The requirement for an HVAC system must adequately articulate a minimum of the following criteria.

• The area under consideration for air-conditioning

o   Rule of thumb –

(1.0 TR of cooling = 3,024 kCal/hr heat rejection)

• Occupancy hours and purpose of the area
• Adaptive Thermal Comfort –
• Indoor operative temperature = (0.078 x Outdoor temperature) + 23.25 ⁰C
• The 90% acceptability range for the adaptive models for a conditioned building is +/- 1.5⁰C.
• Indoor room temperature can be monitored and controlled for thermal comfort using IoT sensors and data analytics relating to air temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity, and air speed.

(Ref.- ECBC )

Sustainable Staff Uniforms and ESG

Workplace uniforms are more than just clothing. They represent an organisation’s identity, fostering a sense of belonging among employees and projecting a professional image to clients. Today’s Gen Zers prioritize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies and practices in their workplace and client premises. Therefore, organizations need to take a more holistic approach to cohesive programs.

Facility service providers have significant responsibilities, including establishing and enforcing a dress code and procuring and managing uniforms for a sizable workforce deployed at client sites across diverse locations. The primary objective of uniforms for service personnel is to promote professional attire and discipline while adhering to the organization’s branding and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. This analysis focuses on the usage, end-of-life, and disposal phases, which notably consume a significant share of energy and water in the carbon chain within the Uniform’s lifecycle. Industry-specific quality controls, including usage, washability, durability, recyclability, and reusability of uniforms in the Facility Management Service domain, are particularly interesting for Facility Managers.

Developing, implementing, and managing a successful uniform program across diverse teams, regions, and service types requires a strategic approach considering the “Triple P” – Purpose, Planet, and Profit. Here’s a breakdown of how Facility Managers can navigate this challenge:

Purpose:

• Safety: Uniforms should prioritise safety features like high-visibility reflective materials for staff working in low-light conditions, near traffic, or around hazardous materials. Flame retardant properties are essential for welding, soldering, or other high-heat personnel. Disposable or reusable Personal Protective Equipment apparel may include a full-body overall with head and foot covers. In Industrial, Airport, Storage facilities, high-rise buildings, and similar critical environment workplaces, the selection of protective clothing for firefighters and working personnel performing hazardous tasks must comply with minimal relevant requirements stipulated in applicable standards.

• Reference Standard	Scope	Application
  ASTM F2894	Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Materials, Protective Clothing, and Equipment for Heat Resistance	Industrial
  ISO 11611	Protective Clothing For Use In Welding And Allied Processes	Industrial, Buildings
  EN 61482 (Part 1 and 2), NFPA 70E	Live Working – Protective Clothing Against The Thermal Hazards Of An Electric Arc	Working on Electrical Systems
  ISO 20471, CSA Z96-2015	High Visibility Clothing – Test Methods And Requirements	Vehicle parking management, confined room work, and high-traffic movement places.
  ISO 11613	Protective clothing for firefighters who are engaged in support activities associated with structural firefighting — Laboratory test methods and performance	Firefighters
  ISO 17493	Clothing and equipment for protection against heat — Test method for convective heat  resistance using a hot air circulating oven	Industrial
  NFPA 1971	Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting (2018)	Firefighters
  NFPA 1975	Standard on Emergency Services Work Apparel	Fire warden
  NFPA 2112	Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire	Industrial
  NFPA 1990	Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensembles and Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies	Industrial
  ISO 14644-5 (Annex B)	Guidelines for disposable or reusable staff uniforms to protect the indoor environment from dust and chemical contamination originating from working personnel.	Clean environment – Data Centre, Laboratories, Pharmaceuticals, Food IndustryFunctionality: The design and materials of uniforms should directly enhance job performance. Janitorial staff uniforms might benefit from features like reinforced knees for kneeling, multiple pockets for cleaning supplies, and moisture-wicking fabrics for comfort during exertion. Security personnel uniforms may require a more formal look to project authority while incorporating features like easy access to security tools and hidden compartments for identification badges. Functionality: The design and materials of uniforms should directly enhance job performance. Janitorial staff uniforms might benefit from features like reinforced knees for kneeling, multiple pockets for cleaning supplies, and moisture-wicking fabrics for comfort during exertion. Security personnel uniforms may require a more formal look to project authority while incorporating features like easy access to security tools and hidden compartments for identification badges.

Functionality: The design and materials of uniforms should directly enhance job performance. Janitorial staff uniforms might benefit from features like reinforced knees for kneeling, multiple pockets for cleaning supplies, and moisture-wicking fabrics for comfort during exertion. Security personnel uniforms may require a more formal look to project authority while incorporating features like easy access to security tools and hidden compartments for identification badges.

Minimum functional requirements of staff uniform.

• Job-fit workwear for every individual
• Clear identification of the Employer of the working personnel
• Employer’s logo on the Uniform
• Large-scale Uniform procurement would require careful selection of textile quality checks, sourcing, uniform design standardisation, and a storage facility near the work site.
• Some textile quality controls and uniform design requirements include reusability, durability, abrasion resistance, colour fastness, thermal resistance, and meet seasonal needs.
• Uniforms’ washability must be carefully considered based on fabric material and usage. The quality of uniform fabric and design must comply with ISO standards. Laundering and maintenance requirements require considering engaging a third-party professional laundry service.

Reference Standards for Textiles:

• Professionalism: A clean, consistent, professional Uniform appearance fosters trust and confidence with clients, building occupants, and staff. A well-designed uniform program can also contribute to a sense of team identity and pride among employees. When designing uniforms, it is essential to prioritize personnel comfort, consider socio-cultural context, address trade-specific needs, and align with the branding of the employer’s and customers’ work culture. Basic prerequisites for a professional workforce include personal hygiene, immaculate uniforms, and a trade-specific appearance.

• Governance: It is essential to distribute a comprehensive policy document outlining the dress code to all employees. The dress code should aim to foster a sense of belonging, discipline, and pride across all organizational levels and departments. Implementing well-designed and colour-coded uniforms can enhance mobility and cohesion across various ranks and departments. Additionally, embracing digital administration controls for procurement, storage, distribution, usage, maintenance, and disposal of uniforms must be encouraged.

 Planet:

Why are Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles relevant to Staff Uniforms?

• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are crucial for business sustainability. Today, Gen Zers are passionate about safeguarding the health, safety, the environment, and profit.
• Implementing policies and practices aligned with ESG principles for staff uniforms fosters professionalism, boosts employee motivation, and enhances market competitiveness.
• Reporting and verifying Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives elevates the organisation’s brand value and generates interest from investors and clients.
• Staff uniforms represent a significant portion of a facilities service provider’s annual operating budget. CSR reporting (GRI, SASB, Accountability’s AA1000, ISO 26000) includes uniform policy, sourcing, usage, and disposal practices for validation.
• Smart and sustainable management practice has the potential to save carbon footprint and costs and improve profitability.

A few of the Important facts about the textile industry.

Key areas to focus on for easy-to-implement roadmaps towards decarbonisation and sustainability.

• Digitalising processes like procurement and administration controls through the use stage, and traceability across all stages will improve controls and analytics-based actions.
• Reduce, Repair, Reuse, and Repurpose.

Though the share of carbon emissions at the end of use is the lowest in the lifecycle chain, reducing, repairing, closed-loop recycling, and repurposing will significantly reduce environmental impacts.

• Recycled fabric

Incorporating eco-friendly fabrics from recycled materials or organic cotton into the uniform program. This reduces the environmental impact of uniform production and disposal.

• Durability:

Durable, high-quality uniforms reduce waste by needing to be replaced less frequently. Look for uniforms with reinforced stitching, stain-resistant finishes, and fabrics that withstand multiple wash cycles.

• Energy-Efficient Care:

Opt for uniforms that are easy to clean and require less water or harsh chemicals during laundering. Explore laundry service providers who utilize energy-efficient cleaning methods.

• Circularity:

(Source: Quantis Study:2008)

• Textiles ECO-Conformance and Labels

• Energy and CO₂ emissions in the

In a study done by the Stockholm Environment Institute on behalf of the Bio-Regional Development Group, the energy used (and therefore the CO2 emitted) to create 1 ton of spun fibre is much higher for synthetics than for cotton:

The Embodied Energy used in the production of various fibres

Profit:

• Cost Control: Negotiate bulk discounts with uniform suppliers to reduce overall program costs. Consider offering a limited selection of core uniform options to streamline procurement and inventory management.
• Employee Retention: Attractive and functional uniforms can boost employee morale and satisfaction, reduce turnover, and improve recruitment efforts. When employees feel comfortable and well-represented in their uniforms, they are more likely to take pride in their work and provide exceptional service.
• Uniform Maintenance: Explore cost-effective laundry services or implement on-site washing solutions to streamline uniform care and reduce dependence on expensive dry cleaning services.
• Workwear Rental: Workwear rental service has gained traction across major consumer markets. Rental service brings value and efficiency to quality controls, flexible inventory management, repairs, laundering, repurposing and reuse on a large scale. Overall cost and quality efficiency at end-use and disposition of the uniforms can be largely realised through a professional rental service model. According to a market research report from Custom Market Insights, the global workwear rental market is estimated to be USD 1.9 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2024 to 2033.

Challenges and Considerations:

• Diversity of Services: Facility Management encompasses a wide range of services, from janitorial work to security to technical maintenance. Each service may have specific uniform needs regarding functionality, safety, and durability.
• Multiple Clients and Locations: FM companies often serve clients across regions with varying weather conditions and cultural norms. Uniforms need to be adaptable and culturally appropriate.
• Scalability and Cost-Effectiveness: Uniform programs must scale efficiently across various team sizes while maintaining affordability.
• Inventory management: The high attrition rate, business operational needs, and transportation logistics are potential crisis points that require close attention and planning.
• Barriers to CSR in the Textile Industry
  • Lack of awareness among stakeholders and customers
  • Lack of knowledge and training on the importance of ESG
  • Lack of top management commitment to compliance with ESG principles.
  • Inadequate or absent regulations and standards
  • Resistance to change in Company Culture towards Carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability.

Balancing the Triple P:

Purpose:

Safety: Uniforms should prioritise safety features like reflective materials for high-visibility environments or flame retardancy for certain tasks.

Functionality: Design uniforms with features that enhance job performance, such as tool pockets or breathable fabrics for physical activity.

Professionalism: A professional appearance fosters trust and confidence with clients and building occupants.

Planet:

Sustainable Materials: Consider using eco-friendly fabrics from recycled materials or organic cotton.

Energy-Efficient Care: Opt for uniforms that are easy to clean and require less water or harsh chemicals.

Durability: Durable uniforms reduce waste by needing to be replaced less frequently.

 Profit:

Cost Control: Smart control measures should encompass sourcing, quality controls, transportation, digitized tracking, distribution monitoring, recollection, and uniform reuse/repurposing.

Employee Retention: Attractive and functional uniforms can boost employee morale and reduce turnover.

Uniform Maintenance: Explore cost-effective laundry services or on-site washing solutions.

Uniforms on Rent: Explore professional service partners to rent workwear on a large scale and across multiple operations regions.

Recycled fabric: Uniforms made from recycled fabric help the environment and save costs.

Good Practices:

• Uniform Policy: Outline clear guidelines regarding dress code expectations, acceptable attire, and uniform maintenance responsibilities. It is the employer’s responsibility to provide job-fit and body-comfortable uniforms for workplace personnel.
• Standardization and Customization: Standardize base uniform elements while allowing customization based on job needs, socio-cultural,  or regional climate.
• Invest in Quality: While affordability is important, prioritize durable and comfortable uniforms that require less frequent replacement.
• Partner with a Reputable Supplier: A uniform supplier who understands the FM industry and can offer various options to meet operational needs.
• Employee Input: Involve your team in the selection process to ensure the uniforms meet their comfort and functionality needs.

By adopting a strategic approach to staff uniforms, Facility Managers can create a program that promotes safety, professionalism, and environmental responsibility, all while considering cost-effectiveness and employee well-being. This will contribute to a smoother operation and enhance the overall image of your FM service.