Leading the Way with Water Conservation

Sustainability is more than just a buzzword—it’s a long-term commitment to the well-being of our planet. We take pride in leading the charge toward a greener future by implementing innovative solutions across our operations. One of the core pillars of our sustainability efforts is water conservation, which plays a vital role in our industry.

Through cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships, we’ve developed a robust program to reduce our environmental footprint while maintaining top-quality service for our customers.

As Colin Wetlaufer, CITY’s President, explains, “Water waste has always been a concern, especially in industrial operations. In small towns like ours, being responsible stewards of water resources is vital.”

Our dedication to water conservation shines through with the Ultrapure filtration system by Norchem Corp. This advanced technology allows CITY to recycle 70% of the water used in our operations, saving around 665,000 gallons each month. This system not only reduces water waste but also ensures the quality of the water discharged back into the local system. “In industrial laundry, you deal with oil, grease, and contaminants. It’s essential that we treat the water before releasing it, ensuring it’s manageable for local water treatment facilities,” Colin notes.

While water conservation is a major focus, CITY’s sustainability efforts go beyond that. We have the largest solar panel operation of any privately owned company in Iowa. Our 44,000-pound solar energy roof mount generates over 1.5 million kilowatt hours annually, offsetting more than 14 million pounds of CO2. Our switch to LED lighting in 2015 has saved 45,000 kilowatt hours and reduced CO2 emissions by nearly 58,000 pounds annually.

“When I talk to my kids about the business, there’s a real sense of responsibility to contribute to the future. This industry was one of the original recyclers, and our efforts to reuse water and extend the life cycle of our products are a continuation of that legacy,” Colin said.

Sustainability is an ongoing effort for us. Our Oelwein, IA facility, which serves as a blueprint for water conservation and energy efficiency, continues to demonstrate that businesses can operate in an environmentally responsible manner while maintaining operational excellence.