Focus on Residential Water Conservation

Prepared by:
A.R. Rubin, Extension Specialist
Biological and Agricultural Engineering

Published by: North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

Publication Number: HE-250

Last Electronic Revision: March 1996 (JWM)

The average North Carolinian uses between 50 and 75 gallons of water each day. About 75 percent of this water is used indoors. Today, with the rising costs associated with both our water supply and waste treatment systems, wasteful water consumption is being discouraged. Federal, state and local government agencies are encouraging individuals, communities, industries and large municipalities to conserve precious water resources.

This conservation ethic applies both in routine water demand as well as during drought situations, for two reasons: (1) the supply of potable water is limited, and 2) water conservation programs are also energy conservation programs.

Most North Carolina homeowners could easily reduce their indoor water consumption by about 30 percent through the installation of very simple water conserving devices. Water conserving devices and appliances are simply low volume fixtures that accomplish the same function as higher volume, conventional fixtures - only they use less water and energy. There are several technical and behavioral facets to a concerted residential water conservation program. As you might suspect, some are appropriate for your use while others may not be, but they are all important enough that you will want to give them consideration.

Commode Modifications

Displacement Devices (Bricks, Plastic Bottles, or Plastic Bags)

Displacement devices such as bricks, bottles or bags are very low cost modifications which prove quite effective in reducing the flush capacity of a water closet. Each of the devices will displace about one or two quarts of water and they will reduce the flush volume of a water closet accordingly.

These devices are all placed in the lower right-hand corner of the water closet as far away from the flush mechanism as possible. If bricks are used, they must be wrapped in plastic to prevent their decomposition. If plastic bottles or bags are used, they must be weighted and filled with water before they are installed in the water closet.

The average family of four could save about 10 gallons of water per day through the installation of these displacement devices.

Dams

These devices block off the lower portion of your water closet and prevent the water which is located behind the dams from ever leaving the tank. Generally these devices are installed in pairs, one dam on each side of the flapper valve.

When properly installed, the dams will reduce water consumption by about two gallons per flush. They are easy to install and they cost about $5 a pair.

The average family of four could save about 25 gallons of water per day through the installation of toilet dams.

Low Volume Commodes

The average commode requires about 5 gallons of water per flush. Today major plumbing appliance manufacturers are marketing low volume commodes which use 3 gallons of water per flush. These low volume commodes have been tested and they do perform as well as the old standard high volume models. The cost for these new commodes ranges from $50 to over $100 per commode. These high costs may generally prohibit replacing commodes just to save water, but if you are planning to remodel the bathroom, these costs may not be prohibitive.

Faucet Modifications

Faucet Aerators

Most faucets have faucet aerators attached. These faucet aerators will mix water and air and the capacity at the faucet is about 4 gallons per minute.

Low volume faucet aerators will mix water and air and reduce consumption to about 2 gallons per minute.

These devices are simple to install. All that is re- quired is to remove the old aerator and replace it with a new low volume aerator. The cost of these devices is about $2 and the average savings for a family of four will be around 15 gallons per day

Line Inserts and Flow Restrictors

These devices reduce the size of the cross sectional area of the supply line while maintaining the same water pressure. This will reduce the flow of water through the pipe to about 3 gallons per minute. These devices may be as simple as a washer or they may be more complex.

Costs may range from 50 cents to several dollars and a family of four could save about 10 gallons per day by installing these devices in their lines.

Shower Modifications

Water Saving Showerheads

All major plumbing suppliers now manufacture water saving showerheads. Most have a design capacity of about 3 gallons per minute as compared to 6 gallons per minute for a conventional showerhead. There are two types of water saving showerheads currently available—a flow restricting showerhead and an aerating showerhead. Both will give big savings in energy conservation.

Most showers are about 60 percent hot water. With the reduced flow through a water saving showerhead, less hot water is consumed. As less hot water is consumed, less energy is required to heat that which is heing used.

At $0.05 per kilowatt hour, it costs about one penny to heat one gallon of water. The average family of four could save about $12 per month in their water and energy bill simply by installing low volume showerheads. The costs of these showerheads range from about $5 to over $20 for the deluxe models.

Common Sense

Water use, like any other commodity, requires us to exercise common sense. Wasteful consumption of any resource is not recommended. Water is a very valuable natural resource. In the years to come, the value of our water resources will increase many fold.

Common sense water management includes such things as repairing leaky faucets; washing full loads of clothes or dishes; disposing of cigarette butts and paper products into waste baskets instead of com- modes; and pooling or ponding of water in the kitchen sink to wash vegetables and other food products.

Your county extension agents can show you how to install the several items mentioned here, and otherwise provide you with information on how to save water in the home. Call on them.

Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
HE-250
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