updated Oct. 12, 2006
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Information on Water-efficient Technologies and Research |
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Indoor: |
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Whether in the home or office, there are many ways to conserve water indoors.
For more information, click on the adjacent image. |
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Outdoor: |
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On average outdoor water use accounts for 30% of daily water use. Therefore, it is important to employ water conservation measures for all outdoor water uses.
For more information, click on the adjacent image. |
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Car Wash: |
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Washing a vehicle is very water intensive. Therefore be as water-efficient as possible.
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Restaurants and Food Preparation: |
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Reduce unnecessary water use in commercial kitchens with water-efficient technologies.
RinseSmart is a pre-rinse spray valve retrofit program for commercial kitchens. The Arizona Department of Water Resources replaces old high-water-use, low-pressure pre-rinse spray nozzles, with low-water-use, high-pressure spray valves.
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Medical Facilities and Laboratories: |
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Clinics, laboratories and other medical facilities have a variety of water uses including food and laundry services, in addition to the unique processes which require the use of water.
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Studies and Research: |
- The EPA WaterSense Product Reviews :
EPA WaterSense is a program sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency. The WaterSense label makes it easy for consumers to find the most water-efficient technologies on the market by conducting quality and efficiency tests. Earning a WaterSense label means the product tested with at least 20% more water-efficiency than similar products. New product evaluations are done regularly.
To view the product reviews, visit the EPA website linked above.
- Evaluation and Cost Benefit Analysis of Municipal Water Conservation Programs (ECoBA):
ECoBA Study; Water Conservation Alliance of Arizona, 2006
The ECoBA study evaluates conservation measures through water savings and cost-benefit analysis. It is a comprehensive and comparable evaluation of conservation measures within municipalities conducted by the Water Conservation Alliance of Arizona (Water CASA). This study looks at actual water savings, costs, and benefits related to conservation.
The Water-Energy Nexus; Southwest Hydrology Vol. 6, No. 5 September/October 2007.
Moving and treating water consumes energy, and producing energy nearly always consumes water: the two are tightly linked. The good news is that conservation of one results in savings of the other as well. By understanding how much water is required to produce various kinds of energy, we can move toward more water-efficient energy production. In turn, recognizing how much energy is needed for various components of our water systems will help us identify opportunities for greater efficiency. This issue’s articles look at both sides.
The Costs of Electricity in Arizona; Martin J. Pasqualetti, Ph.D., and Scott Kelley, M.A., School of
Geographical Sciences, ASU. 2008.
This Arizona specific study, conducted at the Arizona State University, looks at water and energy as they relate to one another. The study focuses on four areas: Comparing the water cost of electricity to other fuel types; the trading of "virtual" water; the water lost from hydroelectric lakes; and policy considerations.
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Indoor: |
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Hot Water Re-circulating Pumps
Running water in sinks, showers or tubs to get hot water can waste between 8,000 - 20,000 gallons a year depending on the size of your household. Hot water re-circulating pumps can provide hot water on demand, saving water while saving time.
Price range: $150 - $400 depending on the model
Vendors: Plumbing supply stores, hardware stores, home improvement stores and online vendors. |
High Efficiency Toilets
Toilets are the main source of water use in a household, representing about 30% of indoor water consumption. Conservation friendly toilets and urinals use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, and are now required under federal law. Newly developed toilet models, marketed as high-efficiency toilets (HETs), use around 1.28 gallons per flush. |
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Dual-flush toilets (a type of HET) are quickly becoming more available in the United States. These toilets use 1.6 gallons for solid waste and 0.8-1.2 gallons for liquid waste.
Price range: $230 - $700 depending on the make and model
Vendors: Plumbing supply stores, hardware stores, home improvement stores and online vendors. |
| Urinals |
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Urinals are available in low flow and waterless models.
Price range: $300 - $500
Vendors: Plumbing supply stores, commercial facility supply stores, and online vendors. |
| Low Flow Fixtures and Appliances |
| Sink Faucets |
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For the home:
Try installing faucet aerators to reduce water flow while keeping water pressure.
Price range: Less than $2 (for the aerator only) to as much as $340 (when a high-end faucet is included)
Vendors: Plumbing supply stores, hardware stores, home improvement stores, commercial facility supply stores, and online vendors |
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For public restrooms:
Consider installing motion sensor controls on the faucets. These sensors detect when hands are under the faucet, saving 10-50 % of water used by manual faucets.
Price range: $100 - $400; prices may vary with quantity purchased
Vendors: Plumbing supply stores, commercial facility supply stores, and online vendors |
For commercial kitchens:
Consider installing hand washing faucets that use 1.0 gallons per minute or less. If none can be found, try using an aerator that has a flow rate of 1.0 gallons per minute or less. This can be a good way to conserve 30-50% of the water used by older models faucets.
Price range: Commercial aerators are less than $2 depending on quantity purchased. Hand washing faucets range at $150 - $400
Vendors: Plumbing supply stores, commercial facility supply stores, and online vendors |
| Shower Heads |
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Low flow doesn't mean low pressure anymore. Install low flow shower heads that use no more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute. You can find shower heads that use as low as 1.2 gallons per minute.
Price range: $6 - $90 depending on make, model, and flow rate.
Vendors: Plumbing supply stores, hardware stores, home improvement stores, and online vendors |
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Outdoor: |
| Irrigation Controllers |
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Smart Irrigation System Controllers:
Smart controllers automatically update the watering schedule based on weather patterns and time of year. The controllers use historic data with or without a sensor, off-site data, data from weather satellites (requiring a monthly fee of around $10), or its own moisture sensor. Studies have shown a 20% - 40% water savings; however, they are not recommended for facilities watering on a deficit.
Price range: $70 - $460
Vendors: Internet vendors, home and garden improvement stores, irrigation supply stores. |
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Vertical Stop Valves:
Keep irrigation systems from losing and wasting water caused by broken sprinkler heads. Vertical stop devices can be placed inside of an irrigation rise upon installation. If a sprinkler head is broken off by a mower the device will shut off the riser to prevent geysers when the system is running through the next irrigation cycle.
Price range: $3 for ½ inch VS 500 model; $6 for the ¾ inch VS 750 model
Vendors: They can be found at landscaping and home-improvement stores and the internet. |
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Drip Irrigation Systems:
Direct the water flow to the exact location the water is needed. This helps prevent watering in areas where the water will not be put to use. It does not spray, reducing evaporation. Drip systems work well in landscaping, potted plants, vegetable gardens, etc.
Price range: around $25 - $50
Vendors: Internet vendors, home and garden improvement stores, irrigation supply stores. |
| Rain Sensors |
These small devices are designed to override automatic irrigation systems when adequate rainfall has fallen. The rain sensors are mounted outside in an open area and wired to the shutoff valve on the common line of the automatic watering system. Rain sensors are good ways to protect our water supply as well as save money.
They are easy to install, reduce utility bills and wear on the irrigation systems, and help to prevent over-watering, which leads to disease damages.
Price range: $25 - $75
Vendors: Online vendors, irrigation supply stores, and home and garden improvement stores |
| Water Harvesting Technologies |
Rainwater harvesting has been used since ancient times. With the development of metropolitan areas, and centralized water systems, rainwater harvesting became less popular, but today it’s making a come back. Rainwater is very valuable and has many outdoor and indoor uses.
For help, refer to the guide Rainwater Harvesting
To order more copies of this guide Click Here
Price range: The price depends on how intricate your water harvesting system will be; how many holding barrels, type of materials used, etc.
Vendors: Specialty landscaping stores and internet vendors |
| Artificial Turf |
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Artificial turf is a water-wise, low-maintenance alternative to grass. Many communities around Arizona have artificial turf areas for landscaping and recreational purposes. Furthermore, the aesthetic problem of brown spots is eliminated. The picture to the left shows a soccer field in Phoenix which uses artificial turf. Surrounding it is natural grass.
Some water must be used for dust control; however, this amount of water is incremental compared to water use associated with the irrigation of natural grass.
Price: Varies on size of area.
Vendors: Retailers can be found on the internet, yellow pages, or landscaping professionals and stores. |
| Water Brooms |
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Using air and water pressure, this highly efficient cleaning technology replaces hosing off surface area. Water brooms use about 2 gallons per minute (gpm) verse the 8 - 18 gpm of a traditional hose nozzle.
An excellent technology for use on concrete and asphalt surfaces, users reported a 60% water savings as well as a large reduction in labor and time when compared to using a hose, power washer, or broom.
Price: $100 - $300
Vendors: Hardware stores and internet vendors |
| Have a Pool? Check out ADWR Pools and Spas: Water Saving Tips and Technology Fact Sheet |
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