 Water conservation has re-emerged as a top priority in facilities nationwide. Drought and a growing population continue to put stress on water supplies. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. population has grown 90 percent in the last 50 years, but public demand for water has risen 209 percent. 36 states foresee local, regional or statewide water shortages by 2013. These growing concerns are the basis for the plumbing industry's improved and renewed commitment to water efficiency, the call for new and enhanced plumbing technologies and efforts to launch water-efficiency policies.
Consumers can choose from numerous high-efficiency toilet technologies that use 20 percent or less water per flush than required by the EPA. These products must meet the same flushing performance standards as their less-efficient counterparts. There are two types of high-efficiency gravity flushing toilets — single and dual-flush. A high-efficiency, gravity, single-flush toilet uses no more that 1.28 gallons of water per flush (gpf). Dual-flush toilets use 1.6 gpf for a full flush and 0.8-1.1 gpf for a short flush. Several studies conducted by water utilities have concluded the average flush volume for a dual-flush toilet is 20 percent or less than conventional 1.6 gpf toilets.
Many higher-efficiency shower heads are available with flow rates of 2 gpm or less. These products use 20 percent or less water than required by the EPA and represent a significant opportunity to save water. There are two kinds of fixtures. An aerating fixture mixes air into the water stream. This maintains steady pressure so the flow has an even, full shower spray. Because air is mixed in with the water, the water temperature can cool down a bit towards the floor of the shower. Aerating shower heads are the most popular type of low-flow shower head. In a non-aerating fixture, air is not mixed into the water stream. This maintains temperature well and delivers a strong spray. The water flow pulses with non-aerating shower heads, giving more of a massaging-showerhead effect. Low-flow faucet aerators usually cost $5 -$10. Low-flow shower heads range from $8 - $50 depending on features such as flow adjusting dials and designer styling. Hand-held models are more expensive than fixed models.
Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce your home water consumption as much as 50 percent, and reduce your energy cost of heating the water also by as much as 50 percent. They also are simple to install and inexpensive to purchase.EnviroCitizen.org suggests that you consider using one of these great water-conserving solutions to reduce your household water consumption.
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