Water Efficiency In The Water Efficiency In The HomeHome

Deatre N. DenionDeatre N. Denion

City of Savannah Water & Sewer BureauCity of Savannah Water & Sewer Bureau

Environmental PlannerEnvironmental Planner

Average American Water UseAverage American Water Use

Residential Water Use

6.80%

58.70%

8.70%

10.80%

5.50%

6.30%

1.00%

0.60%

0.70%

0.90%

Toilet

ClotheswasherShower

Faucet

OtherdomesticBath

Dishwasher

Leak

Unknown

Outdoor

What factors affect What factors affect water usage in the home?water usage in the home?

Plumbing FixturesPlumbing Fixtures Household incomeHousehold income Cost of water & wastewater serviceCost of water & wastewater service Occupancy ratesOccupancy rates Age and Lifestyle of residentsAge and Lifestyle of residents ClimateClimate Local Landscape Aesthetic and Water Habits.Local Landscape Aesthetic and Water Habits. Awareness of the need to conserve water.Awareness of the need to conserve water.

Benefits of Water ConservationBenefits of Water Conservation

BenefitsBenefits Water SavingsWater Savings Reduced wastewater flowsReduced wastewater flows Reduced costs of energy and chemicalsReduced costs of energy and chemicals Reduced costs of water, sewer, and associated Reduced costs of water, sewer, and associated

electric and gas utility serviceelectric and gas utility service Reduced size, and extend life of, septic systemReduced size, and extend life of, septic system Improved safe yield and pumping reliability in wellsImproved safe yield and pumping reliability in wells Improved local environmentImproved local environment Pollution preventionPollution prevention

Costs of Water ConservationCosts of Water Conservation

Price of conservation devicePrice of conservation device Cost to install deviceCost to install device Cost of any necessary renovation of Cost of any necessary renovation of

existing plumbing, appliances, or related existing plumbing, appliances, or related connectionsconnections

Changes in water-use habitsChanges in water-use habits

Audits StepsAudits Steps Determine water useDetermine water use Test & repair leaksTest & repair leaks Provide retrofit devicesProvide retrofit devices Evaluate lawn & irrigation characteristicsEvaluate lawn & irrigation characteristics Evaluate other outdoor water usesEvaluate other outdoor water uses Customize home irrigation schedule if neededCustomize home irrigation schedule if needed Identify all water conservation opportunitiesIdentify all water conservation opportunities Evaluate water efficiency measuresEvaluate water efficiency measures Educate customersEducate customers

Indoor Water UseIndoor Water Use

ToiletToilet Clothes Washer Clothes Washer ShowerheadShowerhead SinksSinks LeaksLeaks BathtubBathtub DishwasherDishwasher

Energy Policy Act 1992Energy Policy Act 1992

The EPAct established for the first time The EPAct established for the first time national maximum allowable water-flow national maximum allowable water-flow rates for toilets, urinals, showerheads, and rates for toilets, urinals, showerheads, and faucets.faucets. Toilets - 1.6 gpfToilets - 1.6 gpf Urinals - 1.0 gpfUrinals - 1.0 gpf Showerhead - 2.5 gpmShowerhead - 2.5 gpm Faucets and Replacement Aerators - 2.5 gpmFaucets and Replacement Aerators - 2.5 gpm

ToiletsToilets

Check for LeaksCheck for Leaks Toilet Tank BanksToilet Tank Banks Toilet Fill Cycle DivertersToilet Fill Cycle Diverters Adjustable FlapperAdjustable Flapper Toilet DamsToilet Dams Replace with Low-Flow FixtureReplace with Low-Flow Fixture

ShowerheadsShowerheads

Low – Flow ShowerheadsLow – Flow Showerheads Showerhead Retrofit DevicesShowerhead Retrofit Devices Adjustments to ShowerheadsAdjustments to Showerheads

FaucetsFaucets

Low-volume FaucetsLow-volume Faucets Faucet Retrofit DevicesFaucet Retrofit Devices Leak Repair & AdjustmentLeak Repair & Adjustment Faucet-related Food DisposerFaucet-related Food Disposer

Clothes WashersClothes Washers

High efficiency clothes washers use about High efficiency clothes washers use about 27 gallons of water per load and often 27 gallons of water per load and often have front-load drums.have front-load drums.

Standard top loaders use up to 56 gallons Standard top loaders use up to 56 gallons per load.per load.

Clothes Washer Water-Efficiency Clothes Washer Water-Efficiency PracticePractice

Operate the washer with full loads only.Operate the washer with full loads only. For washers with variable settings for water For washers with variable settings for water

volume, select the minimum amount required volume, select the minimum amount required per load.per load.

Pretreat stains to avoid rewashing.Pretreat stains to avoid rewashing. Use the shortest wash cycle for lightly soiled Use the shortest wash cycle for lightly soiled

loads because this uses less water than most loads because this uses less water than most “normal” and permanent – press wash cycles.“normal” and permanent – press wash cycles.

Check hoses regularly for cracks that could Check hoses regularly for cracks that could result in water leaks or bursts.result in water leaks or bursts.

DishwashersDishwashers

Water-efficient dishwashers use about 7.0 Water-efficient dishwashers use about 7.0 gallons of water per load.gallons of water per load.

Non water-efficient dishwashers use up to Non water-efficient dishwashers use up to 14 gallons per load.14 gallons per load.

Dishwasher Water-Efficiency PracticesDishwasher Water-Efficiency Practices

Operate dishwasher with full loads only.Operate dishwasher with full loads only. Install an aerator or other flow-control device on Install an aerator or other flow-control device on

the kitchen faucet.the kitchen faucet. When hand washing fill sink or container.When hand washing fill sink or container. Scrape off food with utensil or paper napkinsScrape off food with utensil or paper napkins Do not pre-rinse dishes except when necessaryDo not pre-rinse dishes except when necessary Load dishwasher so water can reach all surfaces Load dishwasher so water can reach all surfaces

to avoid rewashingto avoid rewashing Use shortest wash cycle for lightly soiled loads.Use shortest wash cycle for lightly soiled loads.

Indoor conservation incentivesIndoor conservation incentives

Rebates for toilets, showerheads, washing Rebates for toilets, showerheads, washing machinesmachines

Free water conservation kitsFree water conservation kits Free audits and/or installation of low-flow Free audits and/or installation of low-flow

devicesdevices Retrofit on resale ordinancesRetrofit on resale ordinances Education Education!Education Education!

EducationEducation

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

Behavioral ChangesBehavioral Changes

Using Toilet as TrashcanUsing Toilet as Trashcan Running Water When Not Using (brushing Running Water When Not Using (brushing

teeth, shaving or hand washing dishes)teeth, shaving or hand washing dishes) Washing less than full loads of clothes or Washing less than full loads of clothes or

dishesdishes Check for leaks on a regular basisCheck for leaks on a regular basis

Success StorySuccess StorySanta Monica, CaliforniaSanta Monica, California

Retrofit Upon Resale Ordinance requires Retrofit Upon Resale Ordinance requires installation of water-saving plumbing devices installation of water-saving plumbing devices whenever any residential or commercial property whenever any residential or commercial property is sold or transferredis sold or transferred

$75 rebate for 1.6 gpf toilets $75 rebate for 1.6 gpf toilets Water use surveys provide free indoor kitsWater use surveys provide free indoor kits Cost of program = $5.4 millionCost of program = $5.4 million Cost savings of $9.5 million from avoided Cost savings of $9.5 million from avoided

purchases of imported water and avoided purchases of imported water and avoided wastewater treatment plant capacitywastewater treatment plant capacity

Success StorySuccess StoryMassachusetts Water Massachusetts Water

Resources Authority (MWRA)Resources Authority (MWRA)

Operation WatersenseOperation Watersense Direct installation of water-saving devicesDirect installation of water-saving devices 58% participation rate58% participation rate Installed low-flow fixtures in 348,871 householdsInstalled low-flow fixtures in 348,871 households MWRA’s water conservation program saved MWRA’s water conservation program saved

$1.4 – 1.9 million* in deferred water supply and $1.4 – 1.9 million* in deferred water supply and treatment plant capacitytreatment plant capacity

*Includes savings from other conservation programs including leak detection and repair, *Includes savings from other conservation programs including leak detection and repair, education, improved metering, and rate structureseducation, improved metering, and rate structures

Success StorySuccess StoryBarrie, OntarioBarrie, Ontario

Toilet and showerhead rebate programToilet and showerhead rebate program Installed 15,000 toiletsInstalled 15,000 toilets Reduced wastewater flow by 0.35 mgdReduced wastewater flow by 0.35 mgd Saved $21.8 million in avoided cost for Saved $21.8 million in avoided cost for

reduced size of wastewater plant upgradereduced size of wastewater plant upgrade Delayed construction of new water Delayed construction of new water

treatment planttreatment plant Cost of conservation program = $4.7 Cost of conservation program = $4.7

millionmillion

Contact InformationContact Information

Deatre N. DenionDeatre N. DenionCity of Savannah Water & Sewer DirectorCity of Savannah Water & Sewer Director

Environmental PlannerEnvironmental PlannerP.O. Box 1027P.O. Box 1027

Savannah, GA 31402Savannah, GA 31402912-651-2221912-651-2221

912-644-7785 (fax)912-644-7785 (fax)ddenion@ci.savannah.ga.usddenion@ci.savannah.ga.uswww.ci.savannah.ga.us/wswww.ci.savannah.ga.us/ws