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Responsible use o resh water meansensuring that all water-consuming fxturesin public areas are operating properly, withno leaks or drips, constantly running toilettanks, or ghost ushes rom automaticsensor-based fxtures. A aucet leak o onedrop per second can waste 37 gallons owater per day. From an economic stand-

point, water is o ten paid or twice: once orthe initial consumption and a second timein the orm o wastewater (e.g., sewer)

ees. There ore, reducing water consump-tion can result in signifcant cost savings.

Water consumption is also related to energy use, as less water in the waste-water system reduces the energy required by treatment plants to treat and sup-ply the water. In addition to inspecting regularly or water leaks and respondingimmediately when receiving reports rom residents, the public housing authority(PHA) can achieve water savings by ensuring water fxtures are installed with theappropriate ow-control devices.

Chapter 10 | Water Fixturesand Conservation

WATER AT-A-GLANCE

Introduction

RestroomsFaucetsToiletsUrinalsPublic Showers/Locker RoomsKitchens

Drinking Water Fountains and CoolersWashing Machines

Acronyms in this Chapter

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m

Faucets

urrent green building plumbing codes 1 require most public restroom aucets tohave a ow rate o no more than 0.5 gallons per minute (gpm). Older restroom

aucets may have ow rates o 2.2 gpm or higher, so signifcant water savingsresults rom simply installing new aucet ow-control devices (aerators) with a0.5 gpm ow rate. Replacement ow-control devices are available in two owtypes: aerated stream or laminar ow. Aerators add air to the water and tend to

eel lighter in ow. Laminar ow devices produce a stream comprised only owater; they eel heavier and may be perceived as a higher ow rate by users.

Laminar ow controls also tend to deliver aconstant ow rate o water regardless o anyvariance in the incoming water line pressure.Replacement ow-control devices can be anacceptable fx until aucets are replaced withwater-e cient models.

I aucets are due or replacement, selectaucets with a ow rate o 0.5 gpm. When au-

cet replacement is not possible, ensure thatthe pre-installed ow-control device (typically1.5 gpm2.2 gpm or retail aucets) is replacedwith the correct replacement 0.5 gpm model.

The PHA should also consider aucetswith electronic sensors that turn aucets onand o when hands are detected or mechani-cal metering devices that dispense a pre-setamount o water. lectronic sensor aucetmodels are available that may be hardwired,controlled with a battery pack (that must beperiodically replaced), or even use a built-insolar panel or internal hydroelectric turbine torecharge the battery during use.

oilets

Toilets in public restrooms may be either ushometer or tank style. Flushometertoilets use water directly rom the building water supply to ush automatically

1 International Green onstruction ode, March 2010.

A I I m

1. Ensure public aucets use aucet fow-control devices, such asaerators, that have a fow rate o no more than 0.5 gallons perminute.

2. Ensure public toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons per fush (gp ).High-e ciency 1.28 gp toilets and dual-fush (0.81.1 gp /1.281.6 gp ) toilets are available and may be acceptable replace-ments.

3. Ensure public urinals have a fushometer with a maximum fowrate o 0.5 gp . Lower fow rates o 0.25 gp (one-quarter gallon)or 0.125 gp (one pint) fushometers are also available and maybe acceptable replacements.

4. Inspect public drinking ountains regularly or leaks and properunction. Fountains that chill water should have insulated piping.

Install a timer to turn o re rigeration during periods o low use,and adjust the dispensed water temperature to 70 Fahrenheit(versus the typical 5065F).

5. Check washing machines weekly or water leaks, and investigateresident comments about mal unctioning equipment.

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cleaning and maintenance procedures, so the cost o the new fxture and anyadditional maintenance items (e.g., trap seal cartridges) or procedures should beconsidered along with the water savings.

Public howers/Locker oo s

I there are public showers or sta or locker room areas, the PHA should checkto see i the showerhead is unctioning properly and i there are leaks or drips

rom fxtures, particularly i the acilities are used in requently. I possible, replaceolder fxtures with water-e cient fxtures, typically 1.7-2.5 gpm. There are 1.5gpm showerheads available, but as the gpm decreases, the pressure increasesand the combination o hot water and pressure may risk scalding. All fxturesshould be checked (such as a dripping aucet), as a small leak can result in a largeamount o water consumed.

KI

I there is a common kitchen area, check aucets to ensure the fxtures are unc-tioning properly and there are no drips or leaks. I aerators are installed, checkthat they are unctioning properly and at the appropriate gallons per minute.(Typical residential aerator values are 1.52.0 gpm or kitchen.) I not installed,consider purchasing aerators as they can be e ective ways to manage water use

when installed properly. Residents may remove aerators i the ow rate is toolow, which would result in additional water use. The PHA may also consider agooseneck-type aucet, which helps prolong the li e o the fxture as there areless instances o residents pulling on the aucet neck while trying to wash largeobjects or fll large pots. I there are dishwashers in the common areas, re er tothe WaterSense or RGY STAR requirements or current specifcations sincethere are di erent specifcations or commercial and residential dishwashers.(The current RGY STAR specifcation or residential dishwashers is no morethan 0.88 cycles per kilowatt hour or a compact model and water consumptionin the range o 0.541.0 gallon per rack o dishes or a commercial dishwasher.)

The PHA should also check inlet water hoses and shut-o valves and ensure nowater puddles around the equipment. Any loud noises or external water ow

rom dishwashers may be a sign that the equipment is mal unctioning.

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I the PHA has water ountains in public areas, check them regularly. Water oun-

tains tend to have airly low ow rates (o ten 0.50.7 gpm) and operate onlywhen a button or push bar is depressed. Regular inspection, such as with dailycleaning, will ensure that the bubbler head is not leaking water or that the but-tons or push bars are not stuck in the on position.

lectric water coolers that chill water prior to dispensing (via internal or re-mote re rigeration) have an additional opportunity to save energy. Any accessiblepiping can be insulated, a timer can be installed to shut o the re rigeration dur-ing periods o low use (e.g., late evening), and the dispensed water temperaturecan be adjusted to 70 Fahrenheit (versus the typical 5065F).

WA I g mA I

Whether the PHA uses a commercial size washing machine or a residentialmodel, regular inspections help avoid problems, especially water leaks that canbe substantial (due to the ow rate o water in the inlet hoses and the low tra co laundry rooms) or dangerous (due to the presence o electricity or washersand dryers). Investigate residents comments about machines not working orwashing strangely promptly.

heck washing machines or leaks at least bi-weekly, with attention paid tothe inlet water hoses and shuto valves. The owners manual or the particularmodel o washing machine (check online i the hard copy is missing) shouldprovide any recommended maintenance activities, such as cleaning the inletwater flters and lint flter, to allow the washing machine to operate at maximume ciency.

When replacing equipment, purchase washing machines labeled as part othe RGY STAR program, or that exceed the programs guidelines based onthe yellow nergyGuide label ound on most appliances.

lothes washers that have earned this designation are 30%more e cient than non-qualifed models. A ym I I AP

gp Gallons per fush

gpm Gallons per minute