Water costs are silently draining building budgets nationwide, rising 3-4% annually with no signs of stopping. Miami-based CEO Elizabeth Mesegue has pioneered a remarkably straightforward solution that’s saving properties hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Through Water Wise USA, she’s transforming standard toilets with custom retrofits that slash water consumption by 20-60% while helping combat growing water scarcity – all without requiring clients to invest a single upfront dollar.
From Building Services to Water Conservation
Elizabeth didn’t start out in water conservation. “For the last 20 years, I’ve been doing work in the building maintenance space,” she explains. Serving as the go-to person for property managers, she gained firsthand knowledge of their budget challenges. What she discovered was eye-opening. Most buildings hemorrhage money through outdated bathroom fixtures that silently leak thousands of gallons monthly. After testing various solutions for six years in buildings she already serviced, Elizabeth developed a retrofit system that delivers dramatic results. “I’m able to save properties anywhere between 20 and 60% off their water bills,” she notes. For larger properties, this translates to over $200,000 in annual savings.
Perhaps most innovative is Elizabeth’s business model, which eliminates financial barriers to implementation. “I take my own money, make the adjustments necessary within that property, and they pay me based on the deliverables,” she explains. “Once I save them money, we do a profit sharing.” This approach makes particular sense for properties already struggling with maintenance budgets. After the tragic Surfside building collapse in Miami in 2021, many condo associations face difficult choices about where to allocate limited funds. “Buildings are managed by many people. You have a property manager, you have a board of directors,” Elizabeth points out. “Part of the challenge is people who are skeptical and don’t believe that it works.”
How the Technology Works
The magic happens inside the toilet tank. “We remove the old plumbing system inside the tank and replace it with our plumbing system,” Elizabeth explains. “This immediately eliminate all the leaks.” Unlike standard flappers made from silicone that deteriorate quickly in water, her system uses commercial-grade materials designed for longevity. The retrofit takes just 20 minutes per toilet but delivers immediate results. “Our system is completely silent, and it only takes water in when that flush valve is activated,” she says. “Otherwise, it gives a total seal.” Beyond stopping leaks, the system prevents catastrophic floods – a major concern for multi-unit buildings where water damage from one unit can affect many others.
Measurable Environmental Impact
The numbers tell an impressive story. “I’ve already saved 170 million gallons of water, which turned into $1.8 million just by retrofitting 3,290 toilets,” Elizabeth shares. For perspective, she points out that 85% of most building water bills come from toilet usage – a statistic many property managers don’t realize. By focusing on this single area, her company delivers outsized results. “One building right now we could save 12 million gallons of water just by retrofitting 900 toilets,” she adds.
With water supplies under increasing pressure nationwide, conservation solutions like this address both financial and environmental concerns. “Our aquifers are drying out because they’re not receiving as much natural water as they should,” she notes. Elizabeth offers free water bill analysis for interested properties. By examining 12 months of bills and counting the number of toilets, her team produces detailed savings projections before any work begins. For a building industry constantly seeking ways to reduce operating costs while improving sustainability, Elizabeth’s approach offers a refreshingly simple solution to a problem most didn’t know they had.
To learn more about Elizabeth Mesegue and Water Wise USA’s conservation solutions, visit her LinkedIn profile, visit Water Wise USA’s website, or her personal website.
