A) WATER METER Subsurface with grade-level display; wireless wit…
A) WATER METER Subsurface with grade-level display; wireless with leak detection and pressure regulator
B) RAINWATER COLLECTION Cistern, filter, irrigation control; overflow and filtered matter to storm drain
C) STORMWATER DRAINAGE Collect rainwater from roof/gutter system for irrigation; also contains runoff on site versus storm drain
D) HOT-WATER RECIRCULATION Motion detector– or manual button–activated recirculation (all bathrooms)
E) BATH FAUCETS 32% potential water savings per EPA WaterSense standard; also a greywater source
F) SHOWER 20% potential water savings with EPA WaterSense-qualified low-flow showerheads; also a greywater source
G) WATER MONITOR Real-time use via PC per water meter; also leak detection and irrigation control
H) TOILET 20% potential water savings with 1.28-gpf models vs. 1.6-gpf, per EPA WaterSense standard; greywater supply eliminates use of potable water
M) DISHWASHER 30% water savings with Energy Star–qualified mo…
M) DISHWASHER 30% water savings with Energy Star–qualified models N) CLOTHES WASHER 33% potential water savings with Energy Star–qualified models; also a potential greywater source O) LEAKS (OUTDOOR AND INDOOR) Average 14% of annual householdM) water use (7,900 gallons per year) P) PLANTS Native and drought-tolerant; grouped by similar irrigation needs; watered by drip irrigation Q) TURF AREAS No more than 40% of lot; native and drought-tolerant; watered by rotating spray heads R) IRRIGATION SYSTEM Smart controls; weather-based and/or soil sensor S) PERMEABLE AREAS Permeable pavers on sand bed reduce stormwater runoff from the site T) POOL COVER Pool/spa cover to reduce evaporation
END GAME
If you’re still not convinced that significant water savings is not only achievable, but also marketable, at least consider that the bulk of the technology and tactics are available and affordable to incorporate into a green building protocol.
Saving water also enables homeowners to gain some power over big environmental issues. “Water is a resource that’s generally indigenous to a region. You have to use what’s there,” says Alicia Marrs, outreach coordinator for the EPA’s WaterSense program, in contrast to energy, which can be imported. “Homeowners who save water are being responsible for the sustainable growth of their communities.”
The Best of the Rest Dishwasher
Average Use/Home: 832 gallons/year/home; 1.4% of daily indoor use; Energy Star–qualified units result in estimated 30% water-use savings, as specified in the ICC International Green Construction Code
But the battle over saving water, and instilling its importance and impact on both builders and homeowners, remains in relative infancy. “Right now, and unlike energy, builders will generally do what’s required by code and not go beyond that,” says Nguyen, who is working to add the WaterSense standards to Cobb County’s building code given her area’s limited access to new water sources. “But it’s just as important, and maybe more so. I mean, we can’t live without water.”
Rich Binsacca is a contributing editor for EcoHome.
