1. Plumbing Products Contribution to Water Conservation
AIA - KWC103 HSW SD
IDCEC - #AAAA Subject B.CD

2. Best Practices
Kohler Co. is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of
Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on
completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA
members. Certificates of completion for non-AIA members are
available upon request.
This program is registered with the AIA/CES, IDCEC (IIDA, ASID, IDC),
NKBA, and NARI for continuing professional education. As such, it
does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an
approval or endorsement by these organizations of any material of
construction or any method or manner of handling, using,
distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions
related to specific materials, methods and services will be addressed
at the conclusion of this presentation.

3. Learning Objectives
Be part of the big picture. Whether you are specifying plumbing
products that meet the criteria of LEED initiatives, reduce facility
operating costs or accommodate the preferences of home owners,
environmentally conscious fixtures and faucets can help you
address the challenging demands of your customers. This course
will cover general water conservation, LEED standards and how to
specify water-saving plumbing solutions that contribute to the big
picture.
This course was developed for all architects; specifically for those who
specify plumbing products. After this course you will:
- Understand water supply / demand and how they affect water conservation
- Comprehend water conservation benefits to the individual and society as a whole
- Know how to specify plumbing products to accomplish water conservation goals
- Understand the impact plumbing products have on Green Building

4. Agenda
• Perspective on Water Conservation
• Water Supply and Demand
• Water Conservation Benefits
• Water Efficient Options for Indoor Use
• Green Buildings

5. • Milestones in Water
Conservation
• Supply Management
• Importance of Water
Conservation
Water conservation is one of the critical issues facing our world
today, and will continue to grow in importance.
Perspective on Water Conservation

6. 1860 1912 1960 1980 1992
No Flow Regulations 5.0-gpf* - 3.5-gpf* 1.6-gpf*
* gpf = gallons per flush
Water Consumption Over Time
1.28-gpf*
(HET)
2004
Perspective on Water Conservation

7. • Water conservation efforts focus
on sustainable watershed
management
• A watershed is an area that is
drained by a river or stream
• Watersheds often cross political
boundaries—we must share
responsibility for stewardship
New Strategies – Supply Management
Perspective on Water Conservation

8. Water Conservation ―Hot Spots‖
• Seattle
• San Francisco Bay
• Southern Nevada
• Southern California
• Arizona
• New Mexico
• South Texas
• Denver area
• Boston area
• New York City
• Washington DC area
• Chicago area
• Atlanta area
• Coastal Carolinas
• South Florida
• Caribbean islands
Perspective on Water Conservation

9. • Water is a limited resource
• To sustain growth we need
to use water more efficiently
Importance of Water Conservation
Perspective on Water Conservation

10. Perspective on Water Conservation
1. Toilets in the 1960s and 1970s typically used how
much water?
2. What is an HET?
3. How many gallons per flush does an HET use?
4. What is a watershed?
Review:

11. • Water Sources
• Water Use
• Demand Management
With limited resources, creative solutions are needed to meet
current and future demands.
Water Supply and Demand

12. • Water for human consumption, irrigation, or industry
is taken from two types of sources:
• Surface Water (79%)
– Lakes, rivers, reservoirs, oceans
• Ground Water (21%)
– Municipal and private wells
• Sources vary in water quality,
quantity, and sustainability
Water Sources
Water Supply and Demand

13. Although plumbing products only use 3.7% of all
available water in the US, it uses the most expensive
water – potable or treated.
Water Supply and Demand
US Total Water
= 408 bgpd
Potable Water
= 47 bgpd
Indoor Plumbing
= 15 bgpd
Residential Plumbing
= 13.7 bgpd
Commercial Plumbing
= 1.4 bgpd

14. Indoor:
• Toilets / Urinals
• Faucets
• Baths / Showers
• Clothes Washing
• Dishwashing
• Cooking
• Drinking Water
Outdoor/Process:
• Landscape Irrigation
• Cooling Towers
• Vehicle Washing
• Textile Washing
• Ware Washing
Average Residential Indoor Water Use: 69.3 gpcd
Average Residential Outdoor Water Use: 25-200 gpcd,
depending on region
U.S. Potable Water Consumption
Water Supply and Demand

15. • Getting People & Organizations to Use Less Water
• Demand Management is Accomplished Two Ways:
Demand Management
Behavior Modification Physical Changes
Water Supply and Demand

16. • Get consumers to change how they use water
Examples:
• Water Lawn Less
• Shorter Shower
• Turn off Water When Brushing Teeth
• Collect Water from Cooking to Put on Plants
• Wash Full Loads Only – Dish & Clothes Washers
Behavior Modification
Water Supply and Demand

17. • WaterSense: EPA’s water-efficient product
labeling and public education program
• Websites with water-saving ideas
• Residential outdoor water
conservation programs
Behavior Modification - Public Education Efforts
Water Supply and Demand

18. • Making physical changes that don’t require any change
in consumer behavior. Examples:
• Replace Old Toilet or Urinal with Water Efficient
Model
• Install Low-Flow Aerator on a Faucet
• Repair Leaks
• Install Water Efficient Landscaping
• Proven long-term water savings
• Savings are predictable & measurable
Physical Changes
Water Supply and Demand

19. Plumbing Product Replacement Programs
• Supported and promoted by local water utilities
• Residential and commercial
• Cash rebate incentives
• Product exchanges
• HET rebates
Water Supply and Demand

20. Sources: “Estimated Uses of Water”, USGS, 2004.,
US Department of Commerce
Comparison of GDP -
Water Use &
Population, 1950-2005
Have These Programs
Worked?
YES!
Water Supply and Demand

21. Sources: “Estimated Uses of Water”, USGS, 2004.,
US Department of Commerce
Water Supply and Demand
1. What percent of water use in the U.S. is used by plumbing
products? Although a small %, why is it still important?
2. What are the two main types of conservation strategies?
3. Replacing plumbing fixtures or installing aerators on faucets
are examples of what type of conservation strategy?
4. Have water conservation efforts over the past 20 years in the
U.S. worked?
Review:

22. • Benefits
• Innovative Responses
The benefits of water conservation far outweigh the
costs to society of developing new supplies!
Water Conservation Benefits

23. • Saving water is less expensive than
finding new supplies
• Infrastructure expansions postponed
• Less water pumped and treated,
reducing energy and chemical costs
Benefit: Saves Consumers & Taxpayers Money
Water Conservation Benefits

24. • More than 90% public water
utilities expenses - infrastructure
• AWWA: $200 billion - $1 trillion
in next 20 years on water
systems
• Energy and material costs
continue to rise
…And It Will Save Even More In the Future!
…because water rates will continue to rise.
Water Conservation Benefits

25. • In most areas, water
supplies are fixed or
declining (no new water)
• Conservation allows water
supplies to be used more
effectively
• Known, stable water
availability attracts
businesses and new
residents
Benefit: Economic Growth
Water Conservation Benefits

26. • Stable lake and stream levels
provide better habitat for
wildlife
• Lower wastewater flows:
— allow sewage treatment plants
to function more efficiently
— reduce leaks from septic
systems
• New dams / reservoirs are
not required
Benefit: Protects the Environment
Water Conservation Benefits

27. • New water-efficient products
• New codes and legislation governing water conservation
• Growing non-potable water use
Innovative Responses
Water Conservation Benefits

28. • Mandated use of most water efficient plumbing products by
cities and states
• Green building ordinances
• Water offsets for new developments
• Required use of reclaimed wastewater, where available.
• New water efficient product specifications
• Turf area restrictions and incentives for non-irrigated
landscapes
Codes & Legistation: Accelerating the move toward
water efficiency
Water Conservation Benefits

29. Reclaimed Wastewater
• Municipal wastewater is further treated, then used again
• Not drinking water! - requires separate piping system
• Up to 25% of water use in some communities is ―reclaimed‖
• Major uses are:
• Irrigation
• Groundwater recharge
• Cooling towers
• Process water
• Toilets and urinals
Water Conservation Benefits

30. Rainwater
• Reduces water use and storm water runoff
• Collection systems must be properly designed
• Keep out sunlight!
• Major uses are:
• Irrigation
• Cooling towers
• Toilets and urinals
Water Conservation Benefits

31. Water Conservation Benefits
1. How does water conservation help save money over
the long run?
2. Name two innovative responses to saving water.
3. Name two water efficient plumbing products.
Review:

32. • Plumbing Products
• Greywater
There are many options available to conserve water
indoors without sacrificing quality of life or
performance, style, and quality of products
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

33. Toilets: 1.28 gpf
or less (HETs)
Hot water
recirculation
systems/instant hot
water units
SMART
Irrigation
Controllers
Cooling Tower
ControllersAppliances
Non-Water
Urinals
Water-Efficient Products:
Faucets: with 1.5
gpm aerator
Showerheads:
2.0 gpm or less
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

34. • The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) set limits on water
consumption of fixtures and faucets sold in the U.S.
• Toilets: 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf)
• Urinals: 1.0 gpf
• Showerheads: 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) at 80 psi
• Faucets: (psi) 2.2 gpm at 60 pounds per square inch
• Metering Faucets: 0.25 gallons per cycle, maximum
• EPAct went into effect in January, 1994.
All fixtures and faucets sold in the U.S. must not use more
water that this law specifies. Many products use less.
The Current Standard: EPAct
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

35. Category Product Options WaterSense Qualifications
Tank-Type HETs
Gravity Single Flush
Dual Flush
Pressure Assisted
Electromechanical
Average flush volume ≤ 1.28 gpf
MaP score ≥ 350g
Urinals
Flushing, 0.5 gpf
Flushing, 0.13 gpf
Flush volume ≤ 0.5 gpf
Non-water urinals NOT included
Bathroom Faucets All styles
Flow rate ≤ 1.5 gpm at 60 psi AND
Flow rate ≥ 0.8 gpm at 20 psi
New Homes
Builder offers homes that
meet specification.
All WaterSense plumbing (where applicable)
Limits on landscape designs
Showerheads
Single-Function
Multi-Function
Flow rate ≤ 2.0 gpm
Pressure and spray pattern requirements
WaterSense Products
Not included:
Commercial lavatory faucets
Kitchen faucets
Flushometer toilets

36. • Single-flush gravity HETs provide 20% water savings with
every flush
• Dual-flush toilets allow user to select flushing volume
• 2 of 3 uses are ―liquid only‖ & require less water
• User must select correct button to achieve water savings
Dual-flush toiletSingle-flush High Efficiency
Toilet (HET)
Gravity Toilets
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

37. Pressure-Assist Toilets
• Many models use 1.1 or less gpf
• Best flushing performance
• Similar aesthetic to gravity
toilets
• New designs are quiet enough
for residential applications
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

38. • Vitreous china bowl and
flushometer valve sold
separately
• Flushometer uses water
pressure to release the
proper amount of water
quickly
• Generally used in
commercial applications
• 1.28 gpf and dual flush
are options
Wall-hung bowl
Manual
flushometer
Bowl with automatic flushometer
Flushometer Toilets
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

39. • Men use a urinal
approximately 3 times / day
• Standard urinals use 1.0
gallon per flush
• High Efficiency Urinals (HEUs)
use 0.5 gpf or less
• 0.125 gpf (pint) urinals are
widely available
• HEUs provide an easy way to
reduce water use
Urinals
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

40. • Some designs do not require
cartridges and are extremely
economical
• When installed and maintained,
virtually odor free
• Verify code compliance prior to
specifying non-water urinals
• Can save up to 40,000 gallons of
water per fixture per year!
Non-Water Urinals
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

41. • Replacing aerators is a
very cost-effective way to
save water!
• Most commercial and
residential faucets are
compatible with aerators
• Aerators are available for
various flows down to 0.5
gpm
• Residential lav faucets are
covered under EPA’s
WaterSense program
Faucets
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

42. • Water savings is not adequately
understood
• Hygienic benefits have been
documented - especially in public
facilities
• New sensor technology eliminates
false actuation
• Vandal-resistant
Sensor Faucets
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

43. • An average shower is ~8 minutes
• At 2.5 gpm = 20 gallons of water
• Many showerheads that use less than
2.5 gpm are on the market
• Temperature compensating valves in
showers require a minimum flow to
work properly
Showerheads
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

44. Potential Concerns From Low-Flow Products
Concern Recommendation
Fixture or Faucet Performance:
Initially and Over Time
 Purchase a quality product with
quality components that performs
well for the end-user
New Maintenance
Requirements
 Proper training of maintenance and
janitorial staff
Drainline Carry  Carefully choose location of fixtures
and faucets relative to each other and
main sewer line out of the building
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

45. Toilets
Kitchen Sinks
Dishwashers
Showers
Bathroom Sinks
Clothes Washer
Baths
Greywater = wastewater that has a low
bacteria, chemical, or solids loading
Blackwater = wastewater
that has high bacteria or
high organic content
Greywater
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

46. • Relies on gravity
• Separate drain lines
and storage
• Minimal indoor use
(toilet flushing)
• Codes still in development
• Not allowed in all areas
Greywater – System Requirements
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

47. What’s Possible?
Units = Gallons per capita per day
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Average
Home
EPAct 92
Home
Water
Efficient
Home
Graywater
Home
Leaks
Dishwasher
Clothes Washer
Showers
Faucets
Toilets
Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use

48. Water Efficient Options for Indoor Water Use
1. What are some of the high-efficiency toilet flushing
technologies currently on the market?
2. What is a “dual-flush” toilet?
3. How much water does a High Efficiency Urinal (HEU)
use?
4. How long does an average adult spend in the shower?
5. What is greywater?
6. Does the consumer have to sacrifice quality, style or
performance for water efficient plumbing products?
Review:

49. An important driver of water conservation is
Green Buildings
Green Buildings
• Why Build Green?
• LEED Basics
• LEED Water Efficiency
• Estimating Water
Savings
• LEED for Homes

50. Why the client should consider ―green‖ buildings?
• Reduced operating costs
• Improved employee productivity
• Renewed emphasis on
environmental issues:
- climate change
- chemical exposure
- solid waste disposal
- water supplies
• Tax and other incentives
• Positive publicity
• Client expectations
Green Buildings

51. Green Buildings
What Are The Standards?
Who Sets The Standards?

52. • What is LEED?
– LEED = Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
– Design standards created to define ―green‖ buildings.
• LEED-New Construction (NC) Categories
– Sustainable Sites 26 points
– Energy & Atmosphere 35 points
– Materials & Resources 14 points
– Indoor Environmental Quality 15 points
– Water Efficiency 10 points
– Innovation in Design 6 points
– Regional Priority 4 points
Certified: 40-49 points
Silver: 50-59 points
Gold: 60-79 points
Platinum: 80+ points
LEED Basics
Green Buildings

53. LEED-NC Credit Description
Prerequisite 1
Water use reduction—reduce indoor water consumption by
20% vs. standard (required)
WE 1.1
Reduce potable water requirement for landscaping by 50%
(2 points)
WE 1.2
No potable water used for irrigation, or no irrigation
required (2 points)
WE 2
Innovative wastewater technologies—reduce wastewater
by 50% compared to baseline (2 points)
WE 3.1
Water use reduction—reduce indoor water consumption by
30% vs. standard (2 points)
WE 3.2 Water use reduction—reduce indoor water consumption by
35% vs. standard (3 points)
WE 3.3
Water use reduction—reduce indoor water consumption by
40% vs. standard (4 points)
LEED-NC 2009 Water Efficiency

54. • Water Efficiency Credits 3.1 - 3.3 apply to:
• Toilets
• Showers
• Urinals
• Lavatory Faucets
• Kitchen Faucets
• Outdoor use, such as irrigation and cooling towers,
are not included in these calculations
LEED-NC Water Efficiency
Green Buildings

55. To obtain Water Efficiency Credits 3.1 - 3.3:
• Need signed LEED Water Efficiency Template
• Spreadsheet showing 30% - 40% reduction of water
use compared to baseline
• Submit as part of project portfolio
LEED-NC Water Efficiency Credits
Green Buildings

56. LEED Water Efficiency Calculation
• Projected water use for
building is compared
to EPAct baseline
• Products not LEED
certified, buildings are
• Total water use projected;
not all fixtures or faucets
need to be water
conserving
• Water use calculators
simplify the process
Green Buildings

57. 0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
Gallons per
day
Baseline
- 1.6 gpf
HET- 1.1
gpf
Dual
Flush -
1.6 / 0.8
gpf
• Building with 100 men and
100 women
• Use restroom 4 times per day
• 75% of uses are ―liquid only‖
Results:
• HET – 31% Reduction
– Qualifies for 2 LEED-NC
points*
• Dual Flush – 38% Reduction
– Qualifies for 3 LEED-NC
points*
Toilet Example
*Assuming no other water-consuming fixtures or faucets are present.
Green Buildings

58. LEED-H Water Efficiency (WE): at least (3) points are required
– Water Reuse 5 points
– Irrigation System 4 points
– Indoor Water 6 points total:
• All Faucets ≤ 2.0 gpm 1 point
• All Showerheads ≤ 2.0 gpm 1 point
• All Toilets ≤ 1.3 gpf 1 point
• All Faucets ≤ 1.5 gpm 2 points
• All Showerheads ≤ 1.75 gpm 2 points
• All Toilets ≤ 1.1 gpf 2 points
Certified: 45 points
Silver: 60 points
Gold: 75 points
Platinum: 90 points
NAHB’s National Green Building Standard, along with local green home
programs use similar point-based systems.
LEED for Homes (LEED-H)

59. Green Buildings
1. What is LEED?
2. LEED-NC Water Efficiency credits require what
percent reduction of indoor water use?
3. A building design that incorporates water-efficient
plumbing products and reduces its water use by
35% compared to LEED’s baseline is eligible for
how many LEED points?
4. To obtain the LEED-NC WE 3.1 credit, do all
fixtures & faucets in the building have to use at
least 30% less water than LEED’s baseline values?
Review:

60. CONCLUSION
• Water conservation is a growing issue
• Saving potable water saves energy, chemicals & money
• The need for innovations is increasing
• New water-efficient plumbing products need to be part of an
overall water conservation strategy
• Many of these products can be specified into green building
projects
• Customers do not need to sacrifice style, quality, or
performance to achieve water conservation goals

61. QUESTIONS?
This concludes The American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education Systems Program.
Thank you for your time!

62. COPYRIGHT MATERIALS
This presentation is protected by US and
International copyright laws.
Reproduction, distribution, display and
use of the presentation without written
permission of the speaker is prohibited.
Kohler Co. 2007.

63. Resources
Organization Website
Kohler Co. www.kohler.com/savewater
WaterSense www.epa.gov/watersense
Alliance for Water Efficiency www.a4we.org
H2Ouse www.h2ouse.org
NAHB www.toolbase.org
Alliance for Sustainable Built
Environments
www.greenerfacilities.org

64. U.S. Water Use:
United States
408 bgpd
33.5 %
Irrigation
48 %
Thermoelectric
5 %
Industrial
11.5 %
Potable Water
1 %
Aquaculture
1 %
Mining & Livestock
47 bgpd!
Source: Estimated Uses of Water, USGS, 2004 (year 2000 data)
Resources

65. Source EPA, 1990 data
U.S. Water Use:
Potable Water
47 bgpd
56.7%
Residential
15.3%
Commercial
27 bgpd
7 bgpd
14 %
Public Use / Loss
13.5 %
Industrial
.5 %
Other
United States
408 bgpd
11.5%
Potable Water
Resources

66. Source: EPA, 1992
U.S. Water Use:
68%
Residential
Indoor Use
Indoor Use
21 bgpd
39%
Commercial
Indoor Use
18 bgpd
3 bgpd
Potable Water
47 bgpd
United States
408 bgpd
56.7%
Residential
(27 bgpd)
15.3%
Commercial
(7 bgpd)
11.5%
Potable Water
Resources

67. Sources: Mayer, et al. Residential End Uses of
Water, AWWARF, 1999 & Massachusetts Water Resources Authority ICI Water Management
Program
Dishwasher-1.4%
Other-2.3%
Washer-21.7%
Baths-1.7%
Leaks-13.7%
Faucets-15.7%
Showers-16.8%
Toilets-26.7%
Other-5%
Kitchen-14%
Cooling Towers-
34%
Faucets-6%
Toilets /
Urinals-41%
68%
Residential
Indoor Use
Indoor Use
21 bgpd
39%
Commercial
Indoor Use
Potable Water
47 bgpd
United States
408 bgpd
56.7%
Residential
(27 bgpd)
15.3%
Commercial
(7 bgpd)
11.5%
Potable Water
U.S. Water Use:
Resources

68. U.S. Water Use:
Indoor Plumbing
15 bgpd
74.6%
Residential
Indoor Plumbing
(13.7 bgpd)
47%
Commercial
Indoor Plumbing
(1.4 bgpd)
68%
Residential
Indoor Use
Indoor Use
21 bgpd
39%
Commercial
Indoor Use
Potable Water
47 bgpd
United States
408 bgpd
56.7%
Residential
(27 bgpd)
15.3%
Commercial
(7 bgpd)
11.5%
Potable Water
Resources