Make Every Drop Count In The Home University of Nebraska – Lincoln Written by: Shirley Niemeyer Extension Specialist. Housing & Environment Extension Specialist. Housing & Environment Sharon Skipton Extension Water Quality Educator Extension Water Quality Educator

Why Be Efficient? Aging infrastructure –Limited capacity –Increased cost to update or replace Limited resources

Water Use in the Home Amount: 70 to 100 gallons/person/day Where: Toilet 42% Toilet 42% Washing machine 14% Washing machine 14% Shower/bath 30% Shower/bath 30% Dishwashing 6% Dishwashing 6% Drinking/cooking 5% Drinking/cooking 5%

Becoming More Efficient Make physical changes Make practice changes

Toilet Physical changes Install low-flush toilets Install low-flush toilets January 1, 1994 – 1.6 gallons vs. 3.5 gallons or more on older toilets – Pressure, vacuum, jet action –Dual-flush toilets –Waterless urinal

Toilet Physical changes –Check water pressure required for toilet type Pressure-assist –Vessel in tank pushes water through bowl quickly. Louder, good performance. Pressure assist toilet

Toilet Vacuum-assist Vacuum-assist –Similar to gravity flush. Design creates vacuum to help pull waste through bowl. Quickly fills with water to clear waste. Quiet. Photo:

Toilet Jet action Jet action –Water entry at bowl top. Has a siphon jet at bottom of bowl to improve flush. Gravity-feed (standard toilet - most common) Gravity-feed (standard toilet - most common) –Rely on water dropping from tank into the bowl and trap to move waste down the drain.

Toilet Dual-flush toilets: Dual-flush toilets: – Liquids – Solids - 1 gallon Waterless urinal or Waterless urinal or low water use urinal

Toilet Practice changes Add plastic container or toilet dam Add plastic container or toilet dam Don’t use as trash can Don’t use as trash can Photo: Photo: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

Toilet Check toilet for leaks Check toilet for leaks Repair leaks Repair leaks

Washing Machine Physical changes Install high-efficiency washer Install high-efficiency washer – 27 gallons per load vs. 40 gallons – Sensors – High-pressure rinse Look for Look for Energy Star label

Washing Machine Practice changes Wash full loads Wash full loads Adjust water level to load Adjust water level to load

Shower/Bath Physical changes Install low-flow showerheads Install low-flow showerheads Post 1994 – 2.5 gallons/minute vs. 6 to 8 gallons Shut-off switch Shut-off switch

Shower/Bath Practice change Take short showers Take short showers Shut off flow Shut off flow Use lower bathtub level Use lower bathtub level Close tub drain stopper – adjust temperature as tub fills Close tub drain stopper – adjust temperature as tub fills

Faucets Physical change Install efficient faucets Install efficient faucets 2 gallons/minute vs. 3 to 5 gallons vs. 3 to 5 gallons Install faucet aerators Install faucet aerators Reduce use by up to 60%

Faucets Practice change Shut off flow Shut off flow Keep water in refrigerator Keep water in refrigerator for cold drink Repair leaks Repair leaks Reduce garbage Reduce garbage disposal use Look for the new WaterSense label

Dishwashers Physical changes Install water-efficient dishwasher Install water-efficient dishwasher 6 to 7 gallons/load vs. 14 gallons Look for: Look for: –Energy Star label –Adjustable loads

Dishwashers Practice changes Wash full loads Wash full loads Adjust soil control setting Adjust soil control setting Don’t pre-rinse Don’t pre-rinse

Look for WaterSense logo New EPA-sponsored certification program New EPA-sponsored certification program Voluntary Voluntary Indicates a product or service is about 20% more efficient that its counterpart Indicates a product or service is about 20% more efficient that its counterpart Look for logo on Bathroom sink faucets Bathroom sink faucets Faucet aerators Faucet aerators Showerheads Showerheads

Assess your water use! Use the evaluation form to assess your own water use. Use the evaluation form to assess your own water use. Assess your practices again later and return the form to: Assess your practices again later and return the form to: –S. Niemeyer, Rm 205 HE, East Campus, UNL, Lincoln NE or to –Your local extension office

Acknowledgements Equipment for photos provided by: Equipment for photos provided by: –Service Reps. Inc. Omaha –Ferguson, Omaha –Schaefer’s, Lincoln Photos: Photos: – University of Nebraska-Lincoln, S. Niemeyer