Water Efficiency
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Lowers utility costs and consumption, reducing reliance on resources |
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One to three months to undertake minor improvements, and three to six months to replace inefficient fixtures and appliances |
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Maintenance for minor improvements and replacements; new toilets, faucets, dishwashers, clothes washers, water heaters |
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RES (Residents) |
According to EPA, a typical American household of four uses more than 984 liters (L) (260 gallons (gal))—approximately five full bathtubs—of water every day. Toilet flushing accounts for almost a quarter of that total; showers, faucets and clothes washing each represent another 10–15% (Figure 2). The cost of outdoor water consumption, typically used for irrigation and car washing, can comprise 30% of a residential water bill. The average U.S. household’s leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, indicating an obvious opportunity to save water.6
U.S. DOE estimates that pool covers can reduce evaporation by 50-70%. Evaporation of one pound (lb) of 26.7 degrees Celcius (⁰ C) (80 degrees Fahrenheit (⁰ F)) water takes 1,048 British thermal units (Btu) of heat with it.7
Resident Measures
Residents can easily undertake a variety of water efficiency strategies.
Implement the following tenant measures:
- Ensure that plumbing fixtures do not leak.
- Install faucet aerators (1.9 liters per minute (Lpm) (0.5 gallons per minute (gpm)) and efficient, low-flow showerheads (5.7 Lpm (1.5 gpm)) that maintain the same level of performance while consuming less water.
- Retrofit toilets with dual-flush valve adaptors.
- Use rain barrels to collect rain for irrigation at posts where there is adequate precipitation (see Water: Rainwater Harvesting).
Residents can also implement on and engagement programs to encourage their neighbors to conserve water (see Residential: Staff Engagement).
Figure 2: Residential water end uses in the U.S. (2016)
Owner Measures
Many older plumbing fixtures and appliances, such as dishwashers, do not meet current efficiency standards for water consumption. EPA estimates that replacing an old toilet with a WaterSense®-labeled toilet can save over 15,000 L (4,000 gal) per year. Toilet alternatives include high-efficiency, pressure-assist, and dual-flush toilets.
Old and inefficient water-consuming clothes washers and dishwashers should be replaced with Energy Star®-qualified or A+ Energy Plus-class or higher models for water and energy efficiency. Horizontal axis (front-loading) washing machines typically use much less water than the top-loading variety. Older water heaters should be replaced with Energy Star® tank or tankless water heaters, or solar water heating (see Residential: Energy Efficiency). Additionally, insulating the hot water tank and piping near the tank and placing the tank near hot water-consuming fixtures can save water, as less is wasted while waiting for water to get to the desired temperature at the point of use.
Where appropriate, apply to residential properties the same irrigation and landscaping practices used at the site, such as rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation systems with weather-responsive controls, native or drought-tolerant plantings, and the grouping of species with similar irrigation needs together (see Water: Irrigation). Additionally, residences with swimming pools can achieve considerable water savings by installing pool covers, greatly reducing evaporation losses.