The newest addition to Bethesda Green's Business Incubator says it's solving a problem of increasing concern to companies and homeowners. AQUEES, which provides water efficiency analysis and upgrades such as smart metering, dual flush toilets and faucet aerators, is set to open this month at Bethesda Green's headquarters on Cordell Avenue. The company claims it can bring efficiency increases of 25-35 percent to a property, which could mean big cost savings. "Water conservation is becoming a top-of-mind issue for companies across the United States," said Bethesda Green Incubator manager Bob Snyder. "To coach a local company as it becomes a national leader in this area is very exciting." The Incubator provides an office, educational programs and connections to local business leaders to seven companies and nonprofits focused on environmentally friendly products or services. AQUEES, co-founded by Ben Bahk, will serve as a consultant for property owners and managers to provide analytics on water usage and strategies for reducing that usage. The company said the average family in the Washington D.C. area will pay $85 per month for water service in 2015. Those costs could rise by $10 per month next year. In a press release, Bethesda Green pointed to a study from Michigan State University that found nationwide water and sewer rates have more than quadrupled over the last 30 years while electricity prices merely doubled. "Significant water savings can be achieved with relatively minimal investments, which yield significant savings for years to come. It's really a gift that keeps giving," Bahk said. 
The company will also work with homeowners, with whom it will push the concept of "sub-metering." Because most water infrastructure costs are shared by all ratepayers, there is often not much incentive for individuals to use less water. Sub-metering would provide real water usage reports and bills to each user. In Montgomery County, for instance, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission is going to a more predictable fixed rate model based on the size of a property owner's meter, not the amount of water used. WSSC announced the move by saying water utilities across the region are facing "the quandary" of more customers heeding calls for water conservation. While that's good for water efficiency, it means utilities such as WSSC are having trouble collecting enough revenue to fix outdated pipes and other infrastructure. AQUEES will also offer services for reducing the costs of water irrigation. "Water has always been perceived as a resource that was inexpensive and available, but when it's not there, it's an incomparable, desperate problem," said co-funder Marek Wolek. "This is the year when people are switching their mindset that water is a priority." Photos via AQUEES
New Bethesda Green Company Works To Reduce Water Usage
