Straight from the AJC “A bill that state lawmakers say will create a “culture of conservation” and potentially help douse Georgia’s water war with Florida and Alabama is all but a done deal.The state Senate passed its final version of the bill 52-0 on Wednesday, and the House quickly followed with a 166-5 vote on an identical version of the proposal. One chamber’s bill must now clear the other chamber before the legislation heads to Gov. Sonny Perdue for his signature.”
That Georgia has taken the lead nationwide for requiring low flow plumbing fixtures in new construction might seem like quite a surprise – the state hasn’t been known for its progressive policies in energy and water efficiency. However, when your largest city of 4 million people is threatened by a limited supply of drinking water, it becomes quite obvious how easy this must have been.
And it is certainly to be commended – there aren’t any other states that have actually passed legislation requiring more water efficient plumbing fixtures and set an implementation date. There is, however, one glaring problem. It does not account for any of the existing plumbing fixtures installed throughout the state, instead leaving that to local governments to figure out how to address.
So…Atlanta nearly runs out of water, and the only thing this legislation is addressing is new construction going forward? It wasn’t all the houses coming online in 2012 that dried up the state’s water supply – it is the inefficient fixtures that are installed across the state today, and unfortunately this legislation does absolutely nothing to address that.
But it’s a step in the right direction. Let’s hope maybe that will help demystify low-flow plumbing fixtures and reinforce how well they really work….
Tom Swanston from Serenbe, recently reported that his water use is down 25% from the same period last year, before the WaterSense labeled products were installed. Tom also had this to say:
I am devotee of the products, wish we had the money to install when building, would include them in the future on the water savings $$ alone.
Everyone that comes to the house feels the same as we do about the fixtures
The surprise is that they affected water usage and habits the moment they were installed… the quality of the products is first rate…thanks!
The H2Option toilet features a two button mechanism on top of the tank that allows users to choose between a standard 1.6 gallon flush and a water-saving 1 gallon flush. Not only does the H2Option save water, but it provides a more powerful and efficient flush with a jetted siphonic action which adds push to the water from under the rim of the bowl. When the user flushes the H2Option, some of the water is instantly diverted to the rim of the toilet where there are a series of chambers. The air in these chambers pushes the ongoing coming water forcefully out into the bowl, creating greater suction and thus avoiding clogs.
We found that all the volunteer families – old and young alike – appreciated the difference. The seniors we spoke to mentioned they appreciated the taller commode while children were enthralled by the different flushing options and the “Slow Close” seat cover. Homeowner Marie Miller described the H2Option as “fun” and said that her guests were “blown away” by its special features.
The quality craftsmanship did not go unnoticed, either. Chastain Lakes resident Bob Waterstone told us he was impressed by how “efficient” the flushing mechanism was, and not one family reported a single clog since the new WaterSense-certified toilets were installed. Real estate agent Peg Grady said she told her guests to “trust [her] on the turbo flush!” and noted that there was “no comparison” between her old traditional toilet and the H2Option.
Replacing a standard toilet with the H2Option can save more than 29,000 gallons of water per year. Between the savings on their water bill, the more comfortable height, and the “neat” two button mechanism, the Miller family told us they only wished they had the new fixtures installed sooner. Neighbor Rene Merritt agreed, telling us she was “super satisfied by everything that has happened.”
The phrase “water-saving showerhead” often brings to mind images of a low pressure trickle of water, but as the 11 Chastain Lakes households who received WaterSense-certified showerheads and faucets from American Standard Brands can attest, low-flow does not always mean low-satisfaction.
Real estate agent Peg Grady told us that she “absolutely love[s] them,” adding, “I can’t wait to redo the kitchen and put the same faucet in there as well.” Many families reported that they recommended the American Standard products to their families and friends because they’d found that they were saving on their water bills without having to sacrifice performance.
Advanced technologies and high-quality components have enabled American Standard to offer water savings of up to 40% while continuing to provide consumers with the same level of water pressure they experienced with their old fixtures.
The FloWise showerheads, for example, contain a small turbine-like mechanism that spins the water stream through the head to create a powerful, energizing spray. The result feels much the same as standard 2.5 gpm showerheads, although FloWise uses only 1.5 gpm, which is 40 percent less water than current code requirements for showerheads.
Meanwhile, American Standard’s water conserving faucets feature pressure-compensating aerators that provide 32 percent water savings over standard models, allowing them to meet the EPA’s strict WaterSense maximum flow rate requirement of 1.5 gallons per minute without a noticeable difference in water pressure. According to EPA estimates, the average U.S. household can save over 500 gallons of water annually by installing WaterSense faucets. Additionally, all WaterSense faucets are equipped with washerless ceramic disc valves for a lifetime of water-saving performance and prevention against the potential waste caused by a dripping faucet, which can add up to as many as 2,700 gallons of water per month.
Click here for more information about the Flowise Showerhead and here for details about American Standard’s WaterSense-certified faucets.
Low flow delivered high satisfaction with at least 25 percent in water savings for 21 homeowners in two suburban Atlanta communities who volunteered to replace their existing plumbing products with high-efficiency WaterSense®-certified models.
If it comes as a surprise that people are finally happy with low-flow toilets, that was the point of this mass retrofit last fall that included replacing 71 toilets, 96 faucets and 55 showerheads in 71 bathrooms. “We want to convince homeowners, building professionals and legislators that water conservation doesn’t mean sacrifice,” said Tommy Linstroth.
Georgia’s first licensed GreenPlumber®, Nick Marine of Marietta, GA-based Marine Plumbing, installed toilets and bathroom faucets that save at least 20 percent more water and showerheads that save from 20 to 40 percent more than current standards. Nine volunteer families were recruited from the Serenbe community in Chattahoochee Hills, GA and 11 stepped up to the challenge fromChastain Lakes in Kennesaw, GA.
Funding and products for the test were supplied by American Standard Brands to demonstrate that the technology behind WaterSense-labeled products has greatly advanced consumer satisfaction with water-savers in the bathroom. WaterSense is administered by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and modeled after the EnergySTAR® labeling program to help assure consumers that products will conserve and perform as promised.
“We absolutely LOVE our new fixtures. Our showerheads seem to have better water pressure and we are conserving water now, which we weren’t before,” reported Serenbe homeowner Dallas Nevins, two months after installation. “We have been super-pleased and surprised with how well the American Standard toilets flush.
“Having two young children, sometimes they use a whole roll of toilet paper for one sitting. So, in the past, we’ve had to pull the plunger out on more than one occasion. Since we have our new toilets, we’ve yet to run into a problem and have been ‘plunge-free,’” continued Nevins, an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
“I can’t tell any difference with the volume of water in the shower and sinks which is great…I was afraid I would get a dribble,” said Serenbe homeowner Tom Reed.
Linstroth documented at least a 20 percent collective savings in overall water usage at Serenbe, a savings that has remained consistent over two months. Serenbe homeowners had toilets that used up to 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf), bathroom faucets that had a flow-rate of 2.0 gallons per minute (gpm) and showerheads with usage not exceeding 2.5 gpm.
At Chastain Lakes, an older suburb built more than 20 years ago, Linstroth documented at least a 25 percent savings from the retrofit working with one month of water usage data. “We would expect results in Chastain to be higher, since there were still old toilets in those homes. The math alone would dictate a near 50 percent reduction using siphonic dual flush toilets in place of those old 3.5 gallon toilets,” Linstroth said.
“But our numbers get diluted because of all the other fixtures in the house – irrigation, clothes washing, dishwashing, etc., – they all bring down our totals.” Linstroth continued, noting this as the reason it is hard for homeowners to use their water bills to encourage water-saving behavior. Linstroth plans to release a second report later this spring after amassing more months of data from the participating homeowners.
About one month of the nine Serenbe volunteers had their homes retrofitted with high-efficiency WaterSense®-certified models, Nick Marine and Tommy Linstroth headed north on I-75 to retrofit 11 more homes in Chastain Lakes, located northwest of Atlanta, in Kennesaw GA. Meet some of the Chastain volunteers.
Chastain’s involvement came about through “green” real estate agent and Chastain resident Peg Grady, a long-time associate of the Marine Plumbing team. The Chastain Lakes community was built more than 20 years ago, pre-dating current water efficiency standards that took effect in 1994.
Many of the Chastain Lakes bathrooms in the volunteers’ homes still used 3.5 gallons per flush. Replacing three of them with the American Standard H2Option dual flush toilet, we’d expect homeowners could save more than $100 and 29,000 gallons of water a year, based on inputing Cobb County water rates into the Water Savings Calculator at www.americanstandard.com.
Chastain Lakes Water Conservation Volunteers
The Beebe Family
The Beebe’s have lived in their Chastain Lakes home for more than 18 years and have thoroughly enjoyed the convenient location and close-knit neighborhood feel. With a busy family, Susan Beebe realized they were wasting a good amount of water with out-dated fixtures, but other priorities pushed major renovations to the back burner. She was especially aware of water and money going down the drain when her teenage children would start the shower then become distracted by a phone call or task and leave the water running. Georgia’s drought helped convince the family to be mindful of their water usage, and they are looking forward to reducing their impact even further with their new high-efficiency fixtures.
Peg Grady & Jim Fustino
A real estate agent with green home credentials, Peg has both studied and practiced how to make a home more efficient. She was attracted to Chastain Lakes for the sense of community, convenient location and quality of local schools. The recent Georgia drought brought more awareness of water conservation as did her preparations to achieve her green real estate designation. Considered by her neighbors to be the unofficial Mayor of Chastain Lakes, Peg and Jim stay active and help bring a real neighborhood sensibility to this community.
The Trippeers
Bob and Dot Trippeer moved to Chastain Lakes with their family 16 years ago as the result of a job transfer. They had lived in metro Atlanta previously and settled in their current home to be near family. Having designed and built their own homes in the past, they had a keen eye for their likes and dislikes. They were attracted to their current home for its long-term potential and were mindful of features such as the master suite on the main level and a step-in shower that would be adaptable to their needs long after retirement. Dot says she and Bob are serious about going green which takes action in everything from recycling as much as possible, turning lights out in unoccupied rooms to choosing low-flow toilets as part of this test. The family lived in many different homes following Bob’s career with the Department of Defense, but today is settled in a community and a home that is now suited for many years to come.
The Waterstone:Family
The Waterstones have owned their home for more than 20 years and found it an ideal setting to raise their son. They enjoy an active lifestyle with a home on the lake and a pool. Their modern home has a contemporary design that suited a growing family and has continued to meet their needs. After noticing their water bill continuing to rise year after year they became more conscious of water conservation, especially important with the added water usage from their pool.
When you check the balance of your bank account and notice that your spending habits are causing a deficit to your savings, what is your first, logical response? You can either spend less and be smarter with the cash you have, or you can look for other sources of income, either earning or borrowing more money. Likely most of us would do the former, and conserve as much money as possible before resorting to trying to increase our supply. Read the rest of this entry »
The folks with the WaterSense® program are coming along quickly. While a few months ago only toilets and faucets could be WaterSense rated, the EPA is expected to come out with WaterSense labeled showerheads in Spring 2010 and has just released the new WaterSense® Single-Family New Home Specification. This is making it much easier for builders and home buyers to support water efficiency across the country and to support the RehydrateUS Initiative of reducing US water usage reduce water consumption in the US by 1 BILLION gallons per day.
WaterSense labeled homes continue the trend of WaterSense products – requiring about a 20% reduction in water consumption than in typical new homes built to current code. While we can easily hit a 40% reduction, the WaterSense standard is a good start, especially for folks who have been hesitant to dive full force into the newest water saving technologies.
Additionally, the homes will be independently inspected and certified by EPA licensed certification providers. These new homes will feature WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures, and go well beyond the RehydrateUS Initiative by requiring ENERGY STAR qualified appliances (if installed), water-efficient landscaping, and an efficient hot water delivery system.
While we need to immediately begin to reduce water consumption in our existing homes and buildings, we also need to implement water efficiency requirements for new construction.
According to the EPA, residential water use currently accounts for more than half of the publicly supplied water in the United States. Building a WaterSense home? Register it on rehydrateus.org!
Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue met with the state task force last week which is developing alternatives to replace the 280 million gallons of water per day that the Atlanta metro draws from Lake Lanier. Read the rest of this entry »
The folks with the