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by Joseph Bourg
Millennium Energy LLC
Updated:
11-07-2016
INTRODUCTION
WITHIN THIS PAGE
Introduction
Description
Application
Relevant Codes and Standards
Additional Resources
Water conservation technologies and strategies are often the most overlooked
aspects of a whole-building design strategy. However, the planning for various
water uses within a building is increasingly becoming a high priority. This is due
to a number of reasons, namely that new and existing water resources are
becoming increasingly scarce in a number of regions throughout the country;
per capita water consumption is increasing annually; water and sewer rates
have increased dramatically over the last decade (100–400%); and new water
supply options are too costly or altogether unavailable—often resulting in
stringent water use requirements in new construction applications. In addition,
there is the increasing recognition of the water, energy, and O&M savings that
can be realized through the implementation of water saving initiatives.
Within the federal sector alone it is estimated that expenditures for water and
sewer services reach up to $1 billion annually. Further, it is estimated that
through moderate gains in water efficiency the federal government could save
as much as $240 million per year. Water savings at these levels, approximately
40%, could provide enough water to supply a population of approximately 1.8
million. This water savings potential is enormous with relatively low cost
expenditures. There are also significant energy cost savings associated with
water efficiency measures. For example, federal facilities use approximately 60
billion Btu of energy annually to process and use water. Over ninety-eight
percent of this energy is used for water heating, further illustrating that water
conservation measures are an integral part of a facility's overall energy
management plan. A general definition of water efficiency planning is as follows:
Water efficiency is the planned management of water to prevent waste,
overuse, and exploitation of the resource. Effective water efficiency planning
seeks to "do more with less" without sacrificing comfort or performance. Water
efficiency planning is a resource management practice that incorporates
analysis of costs and uses of water; specification of water-saving solutions;
installation of water-saving measures; and verification of savings to maximize
the cost-effective use of water resources.
DESCRIPTION
A. Water Conservation Strategies
There are a number of strategies that can be employed to reduce the amount of
water consumed at a facility. In general terms, these methods include:
The human factor is critical to obtaining the desired results from water
conserving strategies, and development of an information and education
campaign can help your facility in making the human factor work in favor of
water conservation initiatives.
3. WATER-EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
Landscaping water usage can easily account for 20% or more of facility water
consumption, and is a key area to target for water use savings. There are three
major components to designing a water-efficient landscape for a new facility: 1)
reduce the amount of turf and other irrigated areas 2) ensure water-efficient
design of irrigation systems, and 3) specify native or climate appropriate
landscape materials (Xeriscape). Reducing the amount of turf grass and overall
irrigated areas will reduce water consumption and associated costs, and will
result in time and dollar savings from mowing, fertilizing, waste removal, and
maintenance. Remaining landscape areas that require irrigation should utilize
water-efficient irrigation systems (low-flow sprinkler heads, efficient system
design and layout, and optimized irrigation schedules and controls) to minimize
water use and maximize plant health. Utilizing Xeriscape strategies whenever
practicable will save on water, fertilizer, pruning, maintenance, labor, and
overall costs.
The Waterless Company Waterless Urinal and American Standard ULF Toilet
Newer ULF toilets have alleviated these problems, and surveys indicate a
consumer satisfaction level of greater than 80%. ULF toilet products are offered
in three classifications: 1) flush valve, 2) pressure-assisted, and 3) gravity
toilets. In general, the flush valve and pressure-assisted ULF toilets perform
better than gravity toilets since they use the water system pressure to assist in
their operation. ULF urinal products are typically offered in four categories: 1)
siphonic jet, 2) washout and washdown, 3) blowout, and 4) waterless. These
various ULF product offerings' effectiveness varies widely based upon frequency
of usage; some are designed for low volume traffic, others for high volume
traffic (see GSA's Water Management Guide for more information). Waterless
urinals have gained widespread acceptance, as they are made of a urine-
repellent surface; have no flush handles or moving parts; and virtually require
no water. They do utilize a trap containing liquid that separates the urine from
indoor environment which requires periodic replacement. Additional savings in
the area of toilets and urinals can be achieved by utilizing non-potable water for
flushing, or utilizing composting or incinerator toilets where sewer service is not
available.
Sloan-o-matic Low Flow Showerhead and Sloan Automatic Faucet with Infrared Sensor
6. BOILERS AND STEAM SYSTEMS
Boilers and steam generators are used in large heating systems, institutional
kitchens, and in facilities that require large amounts of processed steam. Many
of these systems use large amounts of water to make hot water and/or steam
that is then subject to losses from leaks and "blow-down". Water consumption
rates vary for boiler and steam systems depending on system size, steam
requirements and amount of condensate return, and the cost of make up water
is relatively small compared to the cost of energy and chemicals required to
heat and treat the water. However, these ancillary savings can be significant in
themselves. Strategies to achieve water and cost savings from boiler and steam
systems are highly site specific, but may include: 1) properly sizing boiler and
steam units (and possibly downsizing units by reducing facility heat and steam
requirements—and thus reducing makeup water requirements), 2) specifying
the most life-cycle cost-effective system option, and not just the lowest first cost
option, 3) installing a small summer boiler or distributed system for reheat or
dehumidification requirements instead of inefficiently running a large boiler at
part load, and 4) considering alternative technologies such as heat pumps for
small loads.
D. Aesthetics
All of the strategies detailed in this section are equally or more aesthetic than
conventional options. Many water conservation options may be aesthetically
superior to conventional water-using strategies (i.e., Xeriscape, plumbing
fixtures, and cisterns).
E. Cost-Effective
Cost savings are provided by the reduction of utility potable water purchases
and sewerage costs. In addition, many water conservation strategies also
reduce hot water and/or water treatment requirements resulting in cost savings
from reduced energy and chemical usage. Some strategies can be cost-effective
based on these ancillary savings alone.
Reducing water requirements also provides greater predictability of utility water
and sewer costs, and reduced vulnerability to utility price volatility.
Through the reduction of end-use water use requirements it may be possible to
reduce the diameter of piping systems or eliminate some piping runs altogether
(i.e., water supply line to waterless urinal), thus reducing construction costs. In
addition, some water utilities charge customers based upon the diameter of the
distribution line at the meter; if this line size can be reduced, further reductions
in utility water bills may be achievable.
F. Durable
All of the strategies discussed in this section are of equal or greater durability
than conventional technologies. Some water conserving technologies may be
even more durable and last longer than conventional technologies.
G. Functional
All strategies and technologies provide equal or greater levels of functionality
compared to conventional methods. Some models of water-conserving
technologies, such as showerheads, are known to provide an even greater level
of performance and quality than conventional technologies. In addition, some
early models of water-conserving technologies, such as ultra-low-flush toilets,
experienced problems with decreased functionality; however, newer versions of
these fixtures have alleviated this concern.
H. Productive
Water conservation strategies are designed based on the principle of "doing
more with less" without sacrificing productivity, performance, comfort, or
quality. As such, these strategies typically increase productivity per unit of
water input.
I. Secure/Safe
Reducing water consumption increases security by minimizing facility impacts
from droughts and other water shortage related events.
Health safety may be a concern if utilizing non-potable water resources on-site.
Check all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and permit
requirements prior to using non-potable water.
J. Sustainable
Reducing potable water requirements through conservation technologies and
reclamation/recycling/reuse strategies is a core element of a sustainable facility
design initiative. By minimizing water requirements, the facility is reducing the
impacts on the entire water infrastructure including reductions in groundwater
pumping, water treatment and its associated energy and chemical usage,
distribution pumping, and sewer water reclamation and treatment. In addition,
reductions in on-site energy use and chemical treatment may be reduced. The
result is obtaining the most use from the least amount of water with the least
impact, and may also result in reducing or eliminating the need for development
of additional costly water resources in the future.
APPLICATION
The following case studies provide information on various water conservation
strategies employed at a number of federal facility types throughout the
country:
Government Standards
Executive Order 13693, "Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next
Decade"
Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings
Federal Mandate
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT)
did youknow
?
Water heating, lighting, and refrigeration are near-universal and year-round home
energy uses. In 2015, these three end uses combined accounted for 27% of total
annual home energy use. The remaining share—21%—of home energy use was for
devices such as televisions, cooking appliances, clothes washers, and clothes dryers,
as well as a growing list of consumer electronics including computers, tablets,
smartphones, video game consoles, and internet streaming devices.
Bar chart with 6 data series.
Many factors affect the amount of energy a household
uses
A number of factors affect the amount of energy an individual household uses, including
Geographic location and climate
Type of home and its physical characteristics
Number, type, and efficiency of energy-consuming devices in the home and the
amount of time they are used
Number of household members
Because of higher space-heating demand, households in the Northeast and Midwest
regions of the United States consume more energy on average than households in the
South and West regions. Larger homes and larger households tend to use more energy
overall than smaller homes and smaller households.
Space heating and air conditioning account for a much smaller share of household
energy use in apartments than in detached single-family homes. Apartments are
generally smaller than single-family homes, and they are often partially insulated from
weather by adjacent apartments. In 2015, the average household living in a single-
family detached home consumed nearly three times more energy than a household
living in an apartment building that has five or more apartments.
Chart with 5 data series.
● electricity: 4.70 quadrillion British thermal units
● renewables: 0.56 quadrillion British thermal units
● petroleum: 0.88 quadrillion British thermal units
● natural gas: 4.58 quadrillion British thermal units
● coal: 0.00 quadrillion British thermal units
Overall, three-quarters of U.S. homes use two or more energy sources, but mobile
homes and homes in the South are most likely to only use electricity to meet all of their
household energy needs. Fuel oil use is more common in the Northeast, while use of
propane is most common in rural homes.