Module 4: Water Efficiency

• Overview
• Program Planning
• Collecting Data
• Common Options
• Running your program
• Resources

Common Options for Reducing Domestic Water Use

« Previous | 1 | 2 | 3 | Next »

The following options are presented as some common ways facilities reduce domestic water use in institutional and commercial settings. The user is encouraged to obtain current information from manufacturers and vendors about the latest innovations in water reduction technology as it is constantly improving in usability and function. Additionally, users should endeavor to consider their own circumstances and resources in seeking innovative and unique solutions for their facility.

Water Efficiency Case Study Members of the Georgia P2AD Technical Support group conducted a water audit at the VA Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia and identified the following potential opportunities for savings: Annual water savings of approximately 4,930,500 Gallons Estimated annual cost savings - $25,183.00 Example: Replacing lavatory faucets in patient rooms with 0.5 gpm laminar flow devices is estimated to save: Approximately 1,800,000 gallons of water annually Approximately $9,500 annually Slightly over 1 Month Payback Total capital outlay approximately $400 plus two days of labor

Irrigation

Outdoor water use around buildings is primarily for landscape irrigation. You can reduce the amount of water by installing efficient irrigation systems or, even better, completely eliminating the need for irrigation. The use of native or drought-tolerant plants or xeriscaping principals can greatly reduce the need for irrigation.

Toilets

The three main types of toilets commonly found in institutional and commercial buildings include gravity flow (tank), pressure assist, and flush valve (flushometer). Tank toilets are found in some buildings and are identical to those commonly found in homes. Flushometer toilets consist of a valve and a toilet bowl fixture.

Figure 1. Infrared Flushometer and bowl

The EPAct 1992 standard for all toilets is 1.6 gpf.

High-efficiency toilets (HETs) include dual-flush, pressure-assist, and high-efficiency tank toilets. Dual-flush toilets are available as tank-style toilets and flush valves – see Figure 2. Dual-flush toilet flush valves can be purchased as a full toilet (bowl and flush valve), or a just a replacement flush valve to match the already existing bowl. You should note that if the existing toilet is a 1.6-gpf type, both the low-flow valves and bowls should be replaced simultaneously. Table 2 presents the percent reduction that can be expected from the various replacements:

Table 2

* Composting toilet systems require no water and mix human waste with organic matter to produce an end product that can be used as a soil amendment. These are primarily used in remote locations where municipal sewer lines are not available.

Figure 2. Dual-Flush Toilet

Urinals

The main types of urinals found in institutional/commercial buildings are flush-valve (flushometer), wash-down/washout tank style, and waterless. The EPAct 1992 standard for all urinals is 1.0 gpf.

High-efficiency urinals (HEUs) include flush-valve types and waterless urinals. Waterless urinals (Figure 3) use a buoyant fluid, mechanical seal, or some other device to maintain sanitary conditions. Table 3 shows the percent reduction possible for high-efficiency urinals as compared to the EPAct 1992 standards.

Table 3

* Waterless urinals require that fluid cartridges be replaced based on the number of uses. The maintenance of these urinals must be monitored closely to prevent sanitary or odor problems.

Figure 3. Waterless Urinal

« Previous | 1 | 2 | 3 | Next »