Water Efficiency In The Home

1. Water Efficiency In The Home Deatre N. Denion City of Savannah Water & Sewer Bureau Environmental Planner

2. Average American Water Use

3. What factors affect water usage in the home? • Plumbing Fixtures • Household income • Cost of water & wastewater service • Occupancy rates • Age and Lifestyle of residents • Climate • Local Landscape Aesthetic and Water Habits. • Awareness of the need to conserve water.

4. Benefits of Water Conservation Benefits • Water Savings • Reduced wastewater flows • Reduced costs of energy and chemicals • Reduced costs of water, sewer, and associated electric and gas utility service • Reduced size, and extend life of, septic system • Improved safe yield and pumping reliability in wells • Improved local environment • Pollution prevention

5. Costs of Water Conservation • Price of conservation device • Cost to install device • Cost of any necessary renovation of existing plumbing, appliances, or related connections • Changes in water-use habits

6. Audits Steps • Determine water use • Test & repair leaks • Provide retrofit devices • Evaluate lawn & irrigation characteristics • Evaluate other outdoor water uses • Customize home irrigation schedule if needed • Identify all water conservation opportunities • Evaluate water efficiency measures • Educate customers

7. Indoor Water Use • Toilet • Clothes Washer • Showerhead • Sinks • Leaks • Bathtub • Dishwasher

8. Energy Policy Act 1992 • The EPAct established for the first time national maximum allowable water-flow rates for toilets, urinals, showerheads, and faucets. • Toilets - 1.6 gpf • Urinals - 1.0 gpf • Showerhead - 2.5 gpm • Faucets and Replacement Aerators - 2.5 gpm

9. Toilets • Check for Leaks • Toilet Tank Banks • Toilet Fill Cycle Diverters • Adjustable Flapper • Toilet Dams • Replace with Low-Flow Fixture

10. Showerheads • Low – Flow Showerheads • Showerhead Retrofit Devices • Adjustments to Showerheads

11. Faucets • Low-volume Faucets • Faucet Retrofit Devices • Leak Repair & Adjustment • Faucet-related Food Disposer

12. Clothes Washers • High efficiency clothes washers use about 27 gallons of water per load and often have front-load drums. • Standard top loaders use up to 56 gallons per load.

13. Clothes Washer Water-Efficiency Practice • Operate the washer with full loads only. • For washers with variable settings for water volume, select the minimum amount required per load. • Pretreat stains to avoid rewashing. • Use the shortest wash cycle for lightly soiled loads because this uses less water than most “normal” and permanent – press wash cycles. • Check hoses regularly for cracks that could result in water leaks or bursts.

14. Dishwashers • Water-efficient dishwashers use about 7.0 gallons of water per load. • Non water-efficient dishwashers use up to 14 gallons per load.

15. Dishwasher Water-Efficiency Practices • Operate dishwasher with full loads only. • Install an aerator or other flow-control device on the kitchen faucet. • When hand washing fill sink or container. • Scrape off food with utensil or paper napkins • Do not pre-rinse dishes except when necessary • Load dishwasher so water can reach all surfaces to avoid rewashing • Use shortest wash cycle for lightly soiled loads.

17. Indoor conservation incentives • Rebates for toilets, showerheads, washing machines • Free water conservation kits • Free audits and/or installation of low-flow devices • Retrofit on resale ordinances • Education Education!

18. Education • Education programs to raise public awareness about the need for conservation are critical to the success of a comprehensive conservation program. • Water Sourcebook series • Direct mail literature • Local workshops and training programs • Educational Booths • Media Advertisement • Presentations and Outreach Events for the Community

19. Behavioral Changes • Using Toilet as Trashcan • Running Water When Not Using (brushing teeth, shaving or hand washing dishes) • Washing less than full loads of clothes or dishes • Check for leaks on a regular basis

20. Success StorySanta Monica, California • Retrofit Upon Resale Ordinance requires installation of water-saving plumbing devices whenever any residential or commercial property is sold or transferred • $75 rebate for 1.6 gpf toilets • Water use surveys provide free indoor kits • Cost of program = $5.4 million • Cost savings of $9.5 million from avoided purchases of imported water and avoided wastewater treatment plant capacity

21. Success StoryMassachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) • Operation Watersense • Direct installation of water-saving devices • 58% participation rate • Installed low-flow fixtures in 348,871 households • MWRA’s water conservation program saved $1.4 – 1.9 million* in deferred water supply and treatment plant capacity *Includes savings from other conservation programs including leak detection and repair, education, improved metering, and rate structures

22. Success StoryBarrie, Ontario • Toilet and showerhead rebate program • Installed 15,000 toilets • Reduced wastewater flow by 0.35 mgd • Saved $21.8 million in avoided cost for reduced size of wastewater plant upgrade • Delayed construction of new water treatment plant • Cost of conservation program = $4.7 million

23. Contact InformationDeatre N. DenionCity of Savannah Water & Sewer DirectorEnvironmental PlannerP.O. Box 1027Savannah, GA 31402912-651-2221912-644-7785 (fax)ddenion@ci.savannah.ga.uswww.ci.savannah.ga.us/ws