Household Water Conservation

Household WaterConservation

Where is Water Used in PA?

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Commercial Domestic Industrial Mining Livestock Irrigation

ConsumptiveNon-Consumptive

Thermoelectric (not shown) = 5,930

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Shifting Population Changes Local Water Use~20,000 new wells each year

Wells Drilled 1960-1994

Household Water Use in PA

• 1900 – 5 million residents– 5 gallons per person per day

• 1995– 12 million residents– 62 gallons per person per day

Where is Water Used in the Home(69.3 gallons per person per day)

Toilet28%

Washer22%

Shower/Bath19%

Faucet16%

Leaks14%

Dishwasher1%

Why Conserve Water?• Save money !!

– Energy savings (from heating water)– Water savings (for those that pay for water)

• Conserve your supply for later use• Rebates

– Some utilities offer incentives for conservation• Reduce the load to your septic or sewer system• Make environmentally conscious decisions

when possible

Achieving Water Conservation

• Changes in habits– Little or no cost– Quick effect– Usually temporary

• Water-saving appliances, fixtures– Can be expensive– Most are easily installed– Very effective– Permanent

Changes in Habits

•Often touted during droughts•Examples

•Shorter showers•Wait for full laundry loads•Less frequent toilet flushing•Reduce outdoor watering•No car washing

Toilets

•Largest user of water in most homes

•Average use = 5.1 flushes per person per day

•Conventional = 4 to 5 gallons per flush (gpf)

•New toilets = 1.6 gpf

•1.6 gpf toilets have been required since 1994

Clothes Washers•Average use = 2.6 loads per week per person

•Conventional = 45 to 51 gallons per load (gpl)

•Front-loading = 27 gpl

•Disadvantages•More expensive initially•Bending to get clothes•Longer wash time

•Advantages•Significant energy savings•Less detergent•Less drying needed•Larger load capacity•Cleaner clothes•Less wear and tear on clothes

Dish Washer

•50% of homes have one

•Similar water use to hand-washing

•Average use = about 1 load per week per person

•Conventional = about 11 gallons per load

•Water efficient = 4 to 7 gpl

Other Water-Saving Toilets

•Mostly commercial or recreational uses

•Air-assisted•Utilizes air compressor•About 0.5 gallons per flush•Noisy

•Composting•No water use•Requires careful maintenance •Best for low-use situations

Air-assisted

Composting toilet and composter

Faucets

•Average use = 4 minutes per day per person

•Conventional = 3 to 6 gallons per minute

•Low-volume = 1.5 gallons per minute (as low as 0.5 gpm for bathroom)

•Very inexpensive

•2.5 gpm faucets required since 1994

Showerheads

•Average use = 8 minutes per day per person

•Conventional = 3 to 6 gallons per minute

•Low-volume = 2 to 2.5 gallons per minute

•Some have manual shut-off for extra savings

•Very inexpensive

•Savings depend on habits also

•2.5 gpm showerhead required since 1994

Effect of Water Conservation

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Toilet Washer Shower Faucets Dishwasher

Without ConservationWith Conservation

Normal use = 68 gallons per day per personConservation use = 38 gallons per day per person

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Estimated Annual Water and Energy Savings(family of four)

Water Savings Energy SavingsAppliance (gallons) (kilowatt hours)Low-flush toilet 18,000 0Low-volume showerhead 4,000 500Low-volume faucet 9,000 500Front-loading washer 13,000 1,300Water-efficient dishwasher 600 150 Total 44,600 2,450

Annual Dollar SavingsWater 44,600 gallons @ $0.005 per gallon ~ $225Energy 2,450 Kwh @ $0.08 per kWh ~ $200

Outdoor Water Conservation

•Outdoor use usually small in PA (< 10%)

•High percentage is evaporated (consumptive use)

•First target of drought restrictions

•Examples•Rain barrels to collect roof water•Drip or soaker hoses for irrigation•Nighttime watering•No car washing, filling pools, etc.

Water Resources Planning Act(Passed December 2002)

• Objectives– Estimate how much water we have– Determine how much we use– Estimate how much we will need

• Creates a State Water Plan

• Registration of all large water users– Those using >10,000 gallons per day

• Water conservation education and assistance

• Identification of critical water resources planning areas

• Precursor to water resources based planning?