Lorillard to Receive City's First WaterWise Business Award 

Greensboro City Council will present the first WaterWise Business Award to Lorillard Tobacco Company on July 20. The award is reserved for Greensboro businesses that exhibit a strong desire to reduce their water consumption and succeed in their attempts to do so.

According to Water Resources account records, Lorillard has reduced their water consumption by approximately twenty percent. The significant decrease is due, in large part, to the attitudes of Lorillard employees. "Our company believes in making water conservation a way of life. Executive management has asked that we develop an ongoing program to change the way we think about water usage," explained Sherwood McNiel, Plant Engineering Manager.

Measures employed by Lorillard include the following:

• Inspecting all toilets and sinks, and repairing those with leaks.
• Evaluating production and support equipment to determine if it can function with reduced water supply.
• Exploring the possibility of reusing water from heat exchange units and other high volume equipment.
• Replacing hoses used for cleaning with low volume pressure washers.

Lorillard is also focusing on long-term conservation. The company has established a multi-departmental Water Conservation Committee whose primary function is to formulate a strategy to keep reducing consumption. "This committee has made a significant impact in helping us focus on the problem, and, more importantly, has come up with solutions" McNiel stated. New high-tech water meters are being installed throughout the facilities to help employees get a better idea about where the water is going. The readings taken from these meters will allow Lorillard to track its progress as it strives to continue and upgrade conservation measures.

Greensboro City Council will present the WaterWise Business Award each month. To qualify for an award, substantial water savings must be documented, and there must be a plan in place to deal with water efficiency issues in the future including employee involvement and awareness. Businesses should submit their accomplishments to the Water Conservation Office, Water Resources, PO Box 3136, Greensboro, NC 27402-3136 or fax them to 412-6305.