Water-Saving Solutions

Another option is a foot pedal that sits at floor level. Water then only flows when you are at the sink and standing on the pedal. These are seen most often in doctor’s offices and commercial kitchens. Tindall cautions that these are complicated installs that usually require a professional. An alternative is the hands-free faucet. The Danze Parma faucet is activated when a hand passes in front of an LED sensor at the base of the faucet. Water flows at a preset temperature. Kohler uses a triangulated beam that shoots across the sink for its touchless faucet. Once you’ve penetrated that field with your hand, water starts flowing. The Danze Parma Dual Hands-Free Kitchen Faucet saves water and reduces the spread of bacteria with an LED sensor that automatically shuts water on and off. Currently, the EPA is working on WaterSense certification for showerheads but until formal numbers are put forth, aim for a flow rate of less than 2 ½-gallons-per-minute. To determine your showerhead’s current flow rate, turn on the water and fill a large bucket for one minute. Measure the water you collected and you’ll know your rate. You can replace the entire showerhead with a high-efficient version very easily. Here’s how. The Waterpik EcoFlow Showerhead uses an admirable 1.5 gallons per minute and features five spray settings as well as a finger-activated “pause” button you can use while lathering. At Kohler, engineers have developed a spray pattern that saves water while providing maximum performance. The Forte and Purist 1.75-gallons-per-minute showerheads also feature Rite-Temp technology that protects you from temperature fluctuations common in low-flow showerheads. The Waterpik EcoFlow Showerhead uses 40 percent less water than the average unit. Home Appliances The good news is that dishwashers and washing machines are more efficient than ever. Washing machine energy consumption has declined 63 percent since 2000, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Dishwasher water consumption has declined 29 percent during the same period. Still, you need to read the specifications when shopping for a new appliance. First, look for the Energy Star label which ensures the unit meets federal standards for energy conservation. When buying a washing machine, consider a front-loader without a central agitator. These units, such as the Bosch Nexxt washer, use as much as 60 percent less water than their top-loading counterparts. Energy Star dishwashers use 40 percent less water than conventional models. Buy the smallest unit that will meet your household’s needs and use water-saving wash cycles for lightly soiled dishes. Miele’s dishwashers feature an AutoSensor system that evaluates waste water to determine the amount of water needed. Outdoor Watering Monitoring your outdoor water usage is also an important way to save water. Consider collecting rainwater with the RainReserve Diverter Kit and rain barrels. And instead of letting that cold water go down the drain as you wait for your shower to heat up, save that water in a bucket and use it to water the garden. Keeping an eye on soil moisture and watering the lawn only when needed can reduce usage, as can using a low-water grass seed such as Scotts TurfBuilder WaterSmart Formula. Choose plants that don’t require much water, and group plants by their water needs so that you can provide your flowers and vegetables only as much water is necessary. Mulch reduces water evaporation, and adding compost to the soil helps it to retain moisture. When you do use water outdoors, consider some of the same tricks that save you water indoors. Water-saving hose nozzles such as those made by Watergeeks Laboratories allow you to not only choose from seven different sprays but control water volume as well. If only one out of 100 American homes switched to water-efficient fixtures such as faucets, 100 million kWh of electricity would be saved per year, according to the EPA. That would avoid 80,000 tons in greenhouse gas emissions and be the equivalent of removing 15,000 cars from the road each year. Whether it’s replacing a toilet or just taking quicker showers, everyone can do their part to save water.

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