REPLACE FIXTURES
Whether you're updating your bathroom or not, consider replacing your fixtures with low-flow, EPA approved WaterSense fixtures to save money and improve the water efficiency in your home. The EPA estimates that by 2013, 36 states in the U.S. will experience water shortages. Long-term ground water availability is uncertain even in Minnesota. Fixtures that use less water pay for themselves quickly and help conserve the diminishing fresh water supply we depend on for drinking, cooking, bathing, and more. Look for EPA certified WaterSense fixtures using their product search tool.
TOILETS
Flush rate, measured in gallons per flush (GPF), is the primary way to measure efficiency of a toilet. New high efficiency toilets (HET) and dual-flush toilets use 1.3 gallons or less per flush while older, standard model toilets use 3.5 gallons to 7 gallons of water per flush. WaterSense In addition to low GPF values, consider the Maximum Performance (MaP) score to measure the ability of the toilet to remove solid waste (measured in grams). Many of today's high-efficiency toilets perform very well, but not all low-flow toilets work equally well. Flushing twice negates any benefits of a low-flow toilet! For selecting and comparing WaterSense approved toilets that perform well, use the WaterSense-certified HETs w/ MaP Test Results document created by water efficiency and plumbing specialists in the U.S. and Canada. As a general recommendation for replacing toilets, look for WaterSense approved fixtures with 1.28 GPF or less and MaP values of 500g or greater. Dual-flush retrofit devices do exist if you're not ready to replace your toilet. These devices claim to reduce the amount water used to flush liquid waste but have not been verified by independent research parties. Because all toilets are different and designed around certain GPF values, retrofits may not remove all waste in some instances, thus requiring a second flush and negating any water savings. The Alliance for Water Efficiency provides more information on dual-flush retrofit devices for dual-flush retrofit device awareness.
Faucets & Showerheads
Efficiency in showerheads and faucets is measured by how many gallons per minute (GPM) the fixture uses, where lower the GPM is better. Low GPM fixtures can must provide enough water pressure to get the job done.
WaterSense approved showerhead criteria includes flow rate over a range of pressures, spray force, and spray coverage. Showerheads must have a GPM of 2.0 or less to bear the label.
Bathroom faucets and faucet aerators are also WaterSense approved at flow rates of 1.5 GPM or less. Aerators attached to faucet nozzles add air to reduce water flow to as little as .5 GPM. This is adequate for bathroom uses like washing hands and brushing teeth. Like showerheads, water pressure conditions are taken included when determining acceptable faucet GPM values.