After landscaping, in most cases, more water is used in restrooms than in any other part of the home. This was first addressed nearly 20 years ago when the U.S. Congress passed a number of regulations requiring faucets, toilets and showerheads to use less water. Although these regulations are still in effect, in recent years new technologies have been developed that far exceed these water reduction requirements in many cases. For example:
Faucets- Reducing the water flow rate of faucets and showerheads is actually rather easy. As with other water-use reducing fixtures, these systems have improved significantly in recent years, allowing a simple aerator to limit the amount of water released. Very often, users cannot even tell the difference between an older, water hungry faucet/ showerhead system and those that make use of the new aerator technologies.
Toilets- Today’s toilets cannot legally use more than 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf). But systems are currently available that use as little as 1.29 gpf while also flushing efficiently with only one flush. Another option that is becoming increasingly popular is dual-flush toilets. These systems use 1.6 gpf or less to remove solid waste and about .8 gallons to remove liquid waste. The handles or buttons on these toilets allow the user to decided which type of flush is needed. A study by Purdue University from June 2004 to June 2005 found that there is a 45 percent reduction in water use when these systems are installed.
Many experts believe that water issues will be even more pressing than energy challenges in the years to come. However, when it comes to water efficiency, we are fortunate to have systems and technologies that can significantly reduce water use. Give All About Water a call at (480) 422-2601if planning to make any water efficient changes to the home. We can help!