Today’s Wall Street Journal talks about the green trend in water conservation, where builders and homeowners are starting to design so that they waste less water. Utra low flow toilets, low water plants, and better faucets.
The EPA’s new WaterSense program aims to encourage water conservation among manufacturers, consumers and developers. The program, similar to the government’s energy-savings incentive program Energy Star, this year began offering certification for landscape and irrigation professionals that ensure they use water-efficient standards. According to the EPA, the average household uses as much as 30% of all water outdoors — and more in drier climates. Nearly half of that water can be wasted through runoff or evaporation.
The program is also encouraging development of water-friendly products. Several weeks ago, it finalized labeling specifications for super low-flow toilets — manufacturers can earn a WaterSense label if the toilet has a 1.28 gallon flush or less. The EPA says WaterSense certified toilets can save at least 4,000 gallons of water a year. Current low-flow toilets flush with 1.6 gallons and older toilets can use between four to six gallons of water per flush, the agency says.
While they have installed low-flow showerheads and toilets in most projects, developers say the real water-savings comes from curbing waste outdoors. Many feature high-tech irrigation systems in the common areas of their developments and offer them as upgrades to homeowners. For example, McStain Neighborhoods in Colorado will offer homeowners an upgrade to a “smart” system in its three new projects that senses rain and will cut back on water accordingly. They can also add a so-called weather station that will calculate local weather data for more precise watering. The systems run about $400 each.
I hadn’t heard about the new standard in ultra low flow toilets before. I have looked at the dual flush Toto toilet and considered buying it, but I heard bad reviews about it not staying clean.
Anyone ever used the Kohler Cimmaron 1.28 GPF ecosmart technology toilet that they talk about?
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The problem with these toilets is it still doesn’t address the issue of water leaks. There’s a new product out there that replaces old float valve technology used by Fluidmaster, Korky etc. It’s metering technology. It actually meters water into the toilet: 1.6 gallons or 1.28 gallons. If a leak is present and the water drains from the tank the valve will not allow additional water to enter the tank. The consumer fixes the leak. The average flapper life is 3 years. Once the flapper deteriorates you still have the same leaky toilet whether it flushes 3.5, 1.6 or 1.28 gallons. Or what about a toilet break? Imagine all the water we are still wasting. http://www.h2oguard.us http://www.theendoftherunningtoilet.com.