Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced the successful completion of a project that is expected to save approximately 870,000 gallons of water annually -- enough to wash 17,400 cars in a line spanning almost 54 miles. Boeing worked with the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California to install motion-activated faucets and more than 400 dual-flushometer toilets and associated valves in 23 buildings throughout the company's Space and Intelligence Systems site in El Segundo.

"This accomplishment demonstrates our commitment to operational efficiency and environmental stewardship, but we have more work to do to further reduce our impact on the environment," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "It is amazing to think of what we have accomplished together, and Boeing is dedicated to improving operational performance to benefit our employees, customers and communities."

Boeing has reduced water consumption at its U.S. operations by approximately 28 percent since 2002.

Water conservation is just one element of Boeing's ongoing effort to improve its environmental performance. In 2007, the company established five-year targets to improve energy efficiency, recycling rates and greenhouse-gas emissions intensity by 25 percent, and included a comparable goal for hazardous-waste reduction.

The El Segundo site is contributing to this companywide effort through energy and water conservation, solid-waste recycling, and bottle and can recycling projects. Employees at the site also formed a "green team" to broaden workplace awareness and encourage environmental responsibility. Last year, the site was certified to the internationally recognized ISO 14001 environmental standard as part of Boeing's effort to expand certification to all of the company's major manufacturing sites.

In 2008, the El Segundo site achieved energy savings totaling $315,000 in rebates and refunds from MWD, Southern California Edison, Sempra Energy and Southern California Gas Company. The site also achieved cost savings of more than $138,000 by implementing a variety of energy-efficiency projects to replace obsolete lighting and cooling equipment.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of Military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.