Sustainable building design focuses primarily on water conservation. Rainwater catchment and irrigation systems are important design elements, and even greywater reuse systems can be incorporated into landscape design to reduce water usage in a commercial building. But, when it comes to designing a fitness center, drinking water quality should also be a priority in a truly sustainable business model.

Here’s why.

Water is essential fuel for workouts

A recent study found that losing just 2 percent of your body weight in fluid can decrease your body’s ability to perform optimally by 25 percent. Experts recommend drinking .5-1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day, and more when perspiring heavily. Your members need water, and they need a lot of it, and that brings us to reason number two for providing high-quality drinking water that’s free of contaminants and tastes great.

Members bring water bottles to refill

Disposable water bottles produce massive waste issues and require lots of energy to produce, so many people are using refillable water bottles when they work out. Gym members expect to be able to fill their bottles quickly and easily, and with high-quality drinking water without contaminants or off-putting flavors.

Water delivery services are costly and inefficient

Many fitness center managers turn to water delivery services as a solution to suboptimal drinking water in their facilities. Expect to pay $7-11 per 5-gallon bottle of water. That’s roughly 7,000-11,000 times the cost of tap water. While you can expect maintenance for a builder-installed water filtration system to increase tap water costs slightly, you’ll recoup installation and maintenance costs over time with what you’re saving by not having water delivered. Plus, your members will enjoy tasty and healthy water without the bottled water waste.

Review municipal water quality reports to determine what kind of filtration system you might need while designing your fitness center. Consider your expected utilization numbers and always plan for more drinking water than you need. The flexibility to grow with your membership is a key part of sustainable design, so plan for growth with an expandable filtration system. Your members will appreciate your attention to detail and commitment to promoting a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.