Environmental and Health Issues and Recommendations
 Conserves Water:
Low-flow toilets, urinals, sinks, and shower fixtures; high-efficiency clothes washers, and low water consumption kitchen appliances improve water use efficiency.
- Save water by using water-efficient fixtures and appliances.
 Conserves Energy:
A large amount of energy is used to pump, treat, heat, and deliver water. [1],[2] In California, "water-related energy use consumes 19 percent of the state's electricity, 30 percent of its natural gas, and 88 million gallons of diesel fuel every year." [3] Improvement in water use efficiency can lower energy needs.
- Conserve energy by using water-efficient fixtures and appliances.
See the Introduction for complete descriptions of these environmental and health issues.
BACKGROUND AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH ISSUES
In 2000, cities and suburbs in California used about 8.7 million acre-feet of water. [4] Several types of bathroom fixtures, clothes washers, and kitchen appliances can reduce water consumption and hot water heating needs. Bathroom fixtures can be coupled with electronic control devices to provide efficient "no-hands, no-touch" controls - improving water use efficiency while promoting proper sanitation.
Environmental Issues
Water Use Efficiency
Selecting water-efficient fixtures can reduce sewer and water bills. In addition, efficient water use reduces the need for expensive water supply and wastewater treatment facilities, helps maintain healthy aquatic and riparian environments, and reduces the energy needed to pump, treat, and heat water. [5] Water is used in the manufacture of products, during a product's use, and in cleaning. Consequently, water efficiency and pollution prevention can occur in several product life cycle stages.
High-Efficiency Toilets
The plumbing industry has introduced toilet fixtures that have an average flush volume lower than the mandated 1.6 gallons per flush. The California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC) has worked with selected water agencies to establish efficiency criteria for these fixtures. A High-Efficiency Toilet (HET) is defined as a fixture that flushes a maximum volume of 1.3 gallons per flush or less. There are three types of HETs: dual-flush, pressure-assist, and gravity-fed. Currently, there are no flushometer valve and bowls that meet the HET definition.
High-Efficiency Urinals
High-Efficiency Urinals are defined by the CUWCC, in cooperation with water authorities and local agencies, as fixtures that have an average flush volume lower than the mandated 1.0 gallon per flush and zero water consumption urinals. [6]
High-Efficiency Clothes Washers
According to the CUWCC, "High-efficiency clothes washers (HEWs) utilize technological advances to deliver excellent wash performance while saving both water and energy. Resource efficient models use 35 percent to 50 percent less water. This reduction in water use means less energy needed to heat the water (approximately 50 percent less energy)." [7]
Pre-rinse Spray Valves
According to a CUWCC report, the "dishwashing operation in a typical restaurant consumes over two-thirds of all of the water used by that establishment. In some cases, nearly one-half of the water used in dishwashing is consumed by the pre-rinse spray valve, which is used to remove food from dishware, utensils, and pans before placing them in the dishwasher. These valves currently can be purchased with a variety of flow rates. Most that are currently purchased and installed are over 3.0-gpm [gallons per minute]. The high efficiency replacement valves used in the Rinse & Save Program have a rating of 1.6-gpm or less." [8]
LAWS AND GUIDELINES
California
Statute
Bathroom Fixtures
Health and Safety Code (HSC) section 17921.3
Effective in 1992, a new water-efficiency standard for restrooms became the law in California. The maximum flush volume for each of these fixtures was:
- Water closets and associated flushometer valves that use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush;
- Urinals and associated flushometer valves that use no more than 1.0 gallon per flush;
- Showerheads that use no more than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm); and
- Lavatory and sink faucets that use no more than 2.2 gpm.
HSC section 17921.3(c) states that "On and after January 1, 1994, all water closets sold or installed in this state shall be water closets and associated flushometer valves, if any, which use no more than an average of 1.6 gallons per flush and which meet performance standards established by American Society of Mechanical Engineers standards A112.19.2-1990 and A112.19.6-1990, and urinals and associated flushometer valves, if any, which use no more than an average of one gallon per flush and which meet performance standards established by American Society of Mechanical Engineers standards A112.19.2-1990 and A112.19.6-1990. Blowout water closets and associated flushometer valves are exempt from the flush volume requirements of this section."
California Code of Regulations
Washing Machines
California Code of Regulations, Title 20, Division 2, Chapter 4, Article 4, Section 1605.3(p)(1)
Effective January 1, 2007, the maximum water factor for commercial clothes washers shall be 9.5. (The water factor "is a measure of the total water used by the clothes washer. The less water used per cubic foot of laundry, the lower the water factor, and the greater the machine efficiency." [9])
Commercial Pre-rinse Spray Valves
California Code of Regulations, Title 20, Division 2, Chapter 4, Article 4, Section 1605.3(h)(3)(A)
The flow rate of commercial pre-rinse spray valves manufactured on or after January 1, 2006, shall be equal to or less than 1.6 gpm at 60 pounds per square inch (psi).
Policy
Executive Order S-20-04
The Green Building Executive Order (Executive Order S-20-04) established the State's priority for energy and resource efficient high performance buildings. It directs the State to commit to aggressive action to reduce State building electricity usage. One significant measure that is mentioned in this Order is for the State to design, construct, and operate all new and renovated State-owned facilities paid for with State funds as "LEED Silver" or higher certified buildings. LEED - the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system - is the nation's leading green building rating system. It promotes "high performance" building practices; energy, water and materials conservation; environmentally preferable products and practices; improvements in employee health, comfort and productivity; and reductions in facility operation costs and environmental impacts.
Executive Order S-3-05
Executive Order S-3-05 established the following greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets for California: by 2010, reduce GHG emissions to 2000 levels; by 2020, reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels; by 2050, reduce GHG emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels. The Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency is charged with the coordination of the oversight of efforts to achieve these targets, including addressing impacts to water supply, public health, agriculture, the coastline, and forestry.
Federal
Title 42 U.S. Code, Sec. 6295 contains standards for maximum water use by showerheads, faucets, toilets, and urinals.
PERFORMANCE
Low-flow toilets, urinals, sinks, and shower fixtures; high-efficiency clothes washers, and low water consumption kitchen appliances have been designed to provide equal performance while improving water use efficiency. When restroom fixtures are equipped with electronic control devices, they provide touch-free operation that reduces contamination and transmission of pathogens.
Manufacturers have developed electronic control devices that power themselves using just water. A rechargeable battery is charged by a micro-turbine driven by water when the faucet is used.
AVAILABILITY
Manufacturers of all major plumbing fixtures (toilets, faucets, and urinals), most clothes washing machines, and a few kitchen pre-spray nozzles, manufacture water-efficient fixtures and appliances that are available from most plumbing product and appliance distributors. See also Vendors.
COST
Water-efficient low-flow toilets, urinals, sinks, and shower fixtures; high-efficiency clothes washers, and low water consumption kitchen appliances can return their cost through reduction in water consumption, pumping, and treatment, and in energy used to heat water. For example, in the CUWCC's Rinse & Save Program, the avoided water agency cost for using water-efficient kitchen pre-rinse spray valves was $65.18 per acre-foot saved. [10]
SPECIFICATIONS
- Specifications for bathroom fixtures, washing machines, and pre-spray nozzle valves should be consistent with California laws and guidelines.
- The California Department of General Services has developed an acceptance criteria document (AC M-1) that establishes requirements for zero-water consumption urinal fixtures specified in project construction plans and specifications for installation in California public schools and state-owned buildings under the jurisdiction of the Division of the State Architect.
VENDORS
State
Other Sources
California Urban Water Conservation Council
The California Urban Water Conservation Council - a non-profit organization - provides information on water-efficient fixtures and appliances.
SUCCESS STORIES
California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC)
Since 2002, the CUWCC and fourteen participating member water agencies have provided free water-efficient pre-rinse spray valves to restaurants, cafeterias, and other food service facilities. The results of this project are described in the document titled "Rinse & Save: Final Report Summary".
Office of Water Use Efficiency and Transfers (OWUET)
The OWUET has published case studies in efficient water management by businesses. The case studies describe how manufacturers, businesses, government, and institutions can manage water to improve water use efficiency.
RESOURCES AND WEBSITES
California Department of Water Resources
Office of Water Use Efficiency and Transfers
Sacramento, CA
(916) 651-9667
The California Department of Water Resources' Office of Water Use Efficiency and Transfers (OWUET) provide support for the stewardship of California's water resources and energy-efficient use of water. This office is responsible for water use efficiency planning and coordination. Its services include technical and financial assistance, information collection and dissemination, resources evaluation, and implementation. Visit the OWUET's Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional (CII) Program Web site for information on water use efficiency in those sectors.
California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC)
Sacramento, CA
(916) 552-5885
The California Urban Water Conservation Council was created to increase efficient water use statewide through partnerships among urban water agencies, public interest organizations, and private entities. The Council's goal is to integrate urban water conservation Best Management Practices into the planning and management of California's water resources.
United States Department of Energy
Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)
Washington, DC
(800) 363-3732
The FEMP was designed to reduce the cost and environmental impact of Federal agencies by advancing energy efficiency and water conservation, promoting the use of distributed and renewable energy, and improving utility management decisions at Federal sites. See Part VI-Water and Wastewater of the FEMP document titled "Greening Federal Facilities".
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
Washington, DC
(202) 564-0624
To promote efficient water use, the USEPA's primary role is to provide technical assistance and information concentrating on 1) improved management practices, 2) better science, 3) effective planning and coordination, 4) market incentives, and 5) public education. See the USEPA's publications on water conservation and efficiency.
WaterWiser
Denver, CO
(800) 926-7337
Cooperatively run by the American Water Works Association, the USEPA, and the United States Bureau of Reclamation, this site features a clearinghouse of information on water use efficiency and conservation.
[1] California Energy Commission. California's Water-Energy Relationship - Final Staff Report, November 2005, pp. 1, 9. Available at this location (PDF file).
[2] Wisconsin Groundwater Guardian Program, Wisconsin Water and Energy Conservation Project. Energy & Water - What's the Connection? Web page. http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/gwguardian/gwinfo/energy/ (offline).
[3] California Energy Commission. California's Water-Energy Relationship - Final Staff Report, November 2005, p. 1. Available at this location (PDF file).
[4] California Department of Water Resources. California Water Plan Update 2005. Available at http://www.waterplan.water.ca.gov/.
[5] United States Environmental Protection Agency. Water Efficiency Web page. Available at http://www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/index.htm.
[6] California Urban Water Conservation Council. High-Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures - Toilets and Urinals. Available at this location (PDF file).
[7] California Urban Water Conservation Council. High-Efficiency Clothes Washers Web page. Available at http://www.cuwcc.org/Efficient_Clothes_Washers.lasso.
[8] California Urban Water Conservation Council. Rinse & Save: Final Report Summary, Revised February 2005, p. 3. Available at this location (PDF file).
[9] City of Louisville, Colorado. Department of Public Works. Water Conservation Program Residential Washer List Web page. Available at http://www.ci.louisville.co.us/PublicWorks/washerinfo.htm.
[10] California Urban Water Conservation Council. Rinse & Save: Final Report Summary, Revised February 2005, p. 11. Available at this location (PDF file).
Special Note: Portions of the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Best Practices Manual were borrowed or adapted from the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board of Minnesota.
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