03/03/2008 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

Water Supply Conservation Tips and Practices Page 4 of 5 (Source: American Water Works Association. (1999). Residential End Uses of Water) In the Twin Cities metropolitan area, residents use an average of 58 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) indoors. Nationally, residential indoor water use ranges from about 68 gpcd (non - conserving household) to 38 gpcd (conserving household) (Source: Adapted from Vickers, A. 2001. Handbook of Water Use and Conservation. WaterPlow Press, Amherst, MA.) (Back to top) Toilets, Sink Faucets and Showerheads The 1992 Federal Energy Policy Act required all toilets, sink faucets and showerheads manufactured in the United States after January 1, 1994 be low- volume fixtures. Toilets must use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf); sink faucets no more than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm); and showerheads no more than 2.5 gpm, respectively. Fixtures installed before 1994 were not required to be retrofitted; therefore, 5 to 7 gpf toilets and 3 to 4 gpm sink faucets and showerheads are still in extensive use throughout the United States. Tips for reducing water use • If you still have a 5 gpf toilet, retrofit your toilet with a 1.6 gpf or less toilet. • Do not use your toilet as a waste basket. • If you have a 5 -7 gpf toilet, install a toilet tank dam or displacement ( "zip- lock ") bag and save up to 40% of your toilets water use. • Check your toilets for leaks. • Install a low -flow sink faucet or a sink faucet aerator. • Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth or shaving. • Fill a pitcher when waiting for water to turn hot or cold and use the water to water your plants. • Install a Demand (Tankless or Instantaneous) Water Heater and water and energy. • Do not let the water run while washing the dishes; fill the sink instead. • Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator rather than running the water from the faucet until it is cold. • Be sure to turn off sink faucets completely. • Fix leaks (calculate how much water you are wasting from a faucet leak). • Install a low -flow showerhead. • Take shorter showers. Clothes Washers and Dishwashers The efficiency of clothes washers and dishwashers installed between 1980 and the early 2000s are estimated to range from 27 gallons per Toad (gpl) to 51 gpl and 7 gpl to 14 gpl, respectively. Although recent models (since year 2000) are twice as water - efficient as those of 20 years ago (1980), water conservation measures are still important because as population increases so does total water use. Tips for reducing water use • Run only full loads in your clothes washer and dishwasher. • When shopping for a new clothes washer look for the WaterSense label. (Back to top) http: / /www.metrocouncil.org/ environment/ WaterSupply /conservationtoolbox residential.h... 1/14/2008