Janie Harris, Extension Specialist Housing and Environment.

Janie Harris, Extension SpecialistHousing and Environment

The lack of regulations covering water-saving

Policies based on increasing the supply Ignorance of the existence of water-saving

technology enabling more efficient use of water in the home

Attitude of abundance

Limited and irregular rainfall Aquifer and reservoir levels are low Water restrictions on customers Conflict over valuable commodity Water is inexpensive to consumer Water is being misused Population continues to grow

Promote a water-saving consciousness Support changes that will achieve a

reduction in water use Use a fast, inexpensive, contentious-free

approach Shared responsibility among all

Many consumers have an awareness Most need an understanding of exactly what

they individually can do to save Begin with information about how

households use water Provide information and assistance with

how they can reduce the amount of water they use

How a household uses its water Knowing how much water they use Knowing how much water costs

$23.50 per month 0 – 3,000 gallons

$ 2.65 per 1,000 gal. 3,001 – 10,000 gallons

$ 2.80 per 1,000 gal. 10,001 – 20,000 gallons

$ 3.30 per 1,000 gal. 20,001 – 40,000 gallons

$ 4.30 per 1,000 gal. Above 40,000 gallons

Households used approximately146,000 gallons annually

42 percent (61,300 gallons) was used indoors

58 percent (84,700 gallons) was used outdoors

Source: Source: Residential End Uses of Water (Denver, (Denver, Colo.: AWWARF, 1999). Colo.: AWWARF, 1999).

Toilets used the most water on a daily basis (20.1 gallons per person per day)

Clothes washers were the second largest water users (15 gallons per person per day)

Showers were third (13.3 gallons per person day)

Source: Source: Residential End Uses of Water (Denver, Colo.: AWWARF, 1999). (Denver, Colo.: AWWARF, 1999).

Clothes washers are top water user (15 gallons per capita per day)

Faucets (10.9 gallons per capita per day) Showers (10 gallons per capita per day) Toilets (9.6 gallons per capita per day).

Source: Source: Residential End Uses of Water (Denver, Colo.: AWWARF, 1999). (Denver, Colo.: AWWARF, 1999).

Passed by congress in 1992 Water-efficiency standards:

◦ Showerheads: 2.5 gallons per minute◦ Faucets: 2.5 gallons per minute◦ Toilets: 1.6 gallons per flush

Only affects new construction and replacement fixtures

Changing water-consumption habits Installation of water-saving devices in

old equipment Acquisition of new water-saving

equipment Acquisition of water-saving household

appliances Other measures, device or equipment

designed to save water (repairing leaks, recycling of household liquid waste, rainwater collection, etc.)

Families can reduce water use by 25-35% Fix leaks by replacing faucet washers and

toilet flappers as needed Replace showerheads and faucet aerators

with water-efficient models Install water-efficient toilets (1.6 gal)

Provide educational information, list of recommended behavior changes, home water audit, list of recommended fixture changes, install water efficient fixtures (toilets, shower heads, aerators)

Outcome – dollars saved and water saved Outcome – which level of intervention was

most effective

Household A – provide educational information and a list of recommended behavior changes in order to reduce water usage

Household B – provide educational information, conduct home water audit, give list of recommended behavior and fixture changes

Household C – provide educational information, conduct home water audit, give list of recommended behavior changes, change toilets to 1.6 gal flush toilet, change shower heads to 2.5 gal/min. models, add aerators to each sink

Average Monthly Water Bill Before/After Study

0

510

15

20

2530

35

BEFORE A

, B, C

AFTER A

, B, C

BEFORE A

AFTER A

BEFORE B

AFTER B

BEFORE C

AFTER C

do

llars

Average Gallons Used Monthly Before/After Study

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

BEFORE A

, B, C

AFTER A

, B, C

BEFORE A

AFTER A

BEFORE B

AFTER B

BEFORE C

AFTER C

ga

llon

s

Motivated households with education on how to change water use behaviors reduced water consumption the most.

Household where the toilets, aerators and showerheads, were retrofitted, along with education, showed the least savings in water consumption.

Focus on “Public Education Campaign” – include in-house conservation as well as drought-tolerant landscape

Shower heads◦ Current standard 2.5 gal/min◦ Fixtures in 1970’s = 10 gal/min◦ > 30 different high-efficiency showerheads ◦ Throttling valves allow consumer to turn down

the flow while soaping, shampooing hair, shaving, etc.

Faucets◦ Current standard 2.5 gal./min◦ Throttle or tap saver ◦ Pedal control faucet◦ Sensor◦ Simply turn off the tap◦ Aerators on all faucets

Toilets◦ Current 1.6 gal/flush (w/without pressure

assist)◦ Dual flush◦ Prior to 1980, 5 – 7 gal/flush◦ 1980 – 1992, 3.5 gal/flush◦ Water displacement in tank

Washing machines◦ Not subject to national water-efficiency standards

in the United States ◦ ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers save

water and energy ◦ 18 to 25 gal vs. 32 to 59 gal. per wash◦ Reduce wash water needs by 30 – 60%

Dishwashers◦ ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers use an

average of 44% less water than conventional models

◦ Avoid using rinse-hold and pre-rinse features◦ Always wash a full load◦ Automatic dishwasher uses approximately 9 15

gallons of water while hand washing dishes can use up to 20 gallons

An average home will waste approximately 10,000 gallons of water per year running it down the drain waiting for hot water

Tankless

Point of use heater

Shortest run possible

3.7 gal/min

The Metlund® Hot Water D'MAND® System (a high performance pump, integrated controller and electronic zone valve), requires no special plumbing. It is designed for use with any hot water heating system to provide energy and water savings. It's easy to install in new or existing homes or businesses.

http://www.gothotwater.com

At the push of a button, the Metlund® Hot Water D'MAND® System circulates the ambient temperature water in the hot water pipes (water that is normally lost down the drain) back to the water heater

As the ambient temperature water in the cold water line travels towards the hot water heater, the D'MAND System fills the hot water line with hot water. When the hot water reaches the D'MAND System, a thermal sensor (thermistor) senses a temperature rise and quickly closes the zone valve while it shuts the pump off.

Graywater systems filter and recycle water from bathroom sinks, showers, and washing machines for irrigating landscaping and/or flushing toilets

For a typical household, reusing graywater can provide fifty to one hundred gallons per day for outdoor use and toilet flushing, cutting your water and sewer bills noticeably

Local regulations affect implementation

In-Home Water Management Efficient and Plant Selection for your

landscape Rainwater Harvesting Energy Conservation

Promote a water-saving consciousness Support changes that will achieve a

reduction in water use Use a fast, inexpensive, contentious-free

approach Shared responsibility among all

Adopt a water conserving attitude Change behaviors to conserve water Install more water efficient equipment and

appliances Reduce water use in landscape Capture, reuse, recycle water

Promote a water-saving consciousness Support changes that will achieve a

reduction in water use Use a fast, inexpensive, contentious-free

approach Shared responsibility among all

To do your part to help reach our goal of using less water per person per day in households without sacrificing comfort

Make Every Drop Count