Cisco's water conservation measures have reduced the network equipment giant's water consumption at its San Jose, Calif., campus headquarters by about 42 million gallons annually, or about 10 percent of its total water usage, reports Forbes.
About 22 million gallons of water are saved annually -- as well as $70,000 -- by optimizing its HVAC system and using intelligent building automation systems, while another 20 million gallons are saved through other water efficiency measures implemented in the building and in its campus landscaping.
As an example, Cisco retrofitted more than 350 bathrooms with waterless urinals.
The company also installed 99 evapo-transpiration irrigation controllers with rain sensors, which will cut landscape water use by 21 percent, translating into a $90,000 savings, according to Forbes.
Cisco also converted 12 large fountains into planter beds with drip irrigation and drought-tolerant plants, which will save the company about 1 million gallons of water a year.
Together, these measures have earned the network giant a Silicon Valley Water Conservation Award (PDF), which is sponsored by a coalition of 12 Valley organizations.
The award shows that Cisco made good on its commitment in its latest corporate responsibility report (CSR) to implement water conversion measures at its San Jose Campus after the company's total water consumption increased in FY09, which the company attributed to the expansion of its San Jose campus.