By executive order, Federal agencies are required to reduce their water use by 2 percent a year through 2020. To get there and maintain water efficiency in operations and maintenance, the Federal Energy Management Program requires Federal agencies to do the following:
• Check for leaks every six months;
• Establish a user-friendly method to report leaks and fix them immediately;
• Encourage cleaning or custodial crews to report problems;
• Periodically replace flush valves and fill valves in tank-type toilets;
• When performing maintenance, replace worn parts and adjust mechanisms to ensure that the water consumed per flush meets manufacturer equipment specifications;
• If non-water urinals are used, clean and replace the seal cartridges or material in accordance with manufacturer recommendations; and
• Correctly adjust and maintain automatic sensors to ensure proper operation.

Retrofit Options

For flushometer valve type toilets, infrared or ultrasonic sensors can be retrofit to automatically activate flushing, making their operation fully “hands free” and sanitary. However, these devices need to be set properly and regularly maintained to avoid multiple flushing; and, while providing sanitary advantages, should not be considered as a water-saving device.

For some commercial flushometer valve type toilets (diaphragm type only), the existing flush valve can be retrofit with a dual-flush valve capable of delivering a reduced flush or a full flush depending upon the demand (i.e., liquid waste only or solid and liquid waste). Note that this type of retrofit may require significant user education to be fully successful. In addition, the existing bowl must be compatible with the reduced flush volume.

Early closure or valve insert or replacement devices can reduce flush volumes by 0.6 to 2 gpf. However, they often require frequent replacement or adjustment, may lead to clogging and other flush performance problems, and may void warranties on the fixture itself.

Consider using non-potable water for toilet and urinals. If using non-potable water for toilet and urinal flushing, monitor flapper valves and seals to determine if there is an impact on their useful life.

Replacement Options

The following replacement options help maintain water efficiency:

• Replace 3.5 to 5 gpf toilets with flushometer valves and bowls specifically designed to use 1.6 gpf or less. For maximum water savings and performance, purchase the valve and bowl in hydraulically matched combinations that are compatible in terms of their designed flushing capacity.

• Avoid replacing only the existing flushometer valve or tank with a more efficient 1.6 gpf or less model if the bowl is designed to handle 3.5 gpf or more. Site-specific evaluation of existing waste lines, water pressure, distance, usage, settling, and types of users (employees, residents, occasional members of the public, high visitor populations, etc.) is necessary to determine the appropriate models for a specific site. Where appropriate, recycle used parts such as tank trim and metal flush valves (only the interior mechanism needs to be replaced) to minimize landfill impacts.

• If replacing tank-type toilets (gravity or pressure assist), select toilets with the WaterSense label. These have an effective flush volume of 1.28 gallons or less (20 percent savings per flush over traditional 1.6 gpf toilets) and have been independently tested and certified for performance.

• Replace urinals with high-efficiency models designed to use 0.5 gpf or less. Also, note that flushing urinals have a distinct advantage over nonwater urinals in that the costs of replacement components and fluids are largely avoided. Also, the flushing action can remove concerns of odors, and facility maintenance and custodial tasks are routine.

Faucets and Showerheads

To address lavatory faucets intended for public use, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) A112.18.1/ Canadian Standards Association (CSA) B125.1 Plumbing Supply Fittings specifies that public lavatory faucets must have a maximum flow rate of 0.5 gpm.

FEMP released a purchasing specification for showerheads to address efficiency and technology advances. The specification calls for Federal agencies to purchase showerheads with flow rates of 2.2 gpm or less. If your facility still uses older faucets and showerheads, or uses faucets with flow rates greater than 0.5 gpm in public restrooms, there is a significant opportunity to save both water and energy costs. To maintain water efficiency in operations and maintenance:

• Establish a user-friendly method to report leaks and fix them immediately;

• Encourage cleaning or custodial crews to report problems;

• Test system pressure to make sure it is between 20 and 80 psi. If the pressure is too low, high-efficiency devices won’t work properly. If it is too high, they will consume more than their rated amount of water;

• Install expansion tanks and pressure reducing valves and reduce water heater settings where appropriate to prevent temperature and pressure relief valves from discharging water;

• Correctly adjust and maintain automatic sensors to ensure proper operation;
• Encourage users to take shorter showers. Place clocks or timers in or near showers to allow users to track their timing better;
• Post energy/water awareness information to encourage efficiency from users.

 Retrofit and Replacement Options

The following retrofit and replacement options can help maintain water efficiency: • Avoid retrofitting existing inefficient showerheads with flow control inserts or flow control valves (designed to restrict flow or temporarily shut off flow of water, respectively). These devices may increase risks of thermal shock and scalding and may not provide adequate flow in some Federal facilities, particularly those with low water pressure.

• When installing new showerheads, choose models with flow rates that are less than guideline maximums. Specifically, check for showerhead models that meet FEMP-designated performance requirements of 2.2 gpm or less. When replacing a showerhead with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gpm, verify that the hot and cold water plumbing lines are routed through an auto-compensating mixing valve (either thermostatic or pressure balancing) designed for the flow rate of the showerhead.

• This valve prevents against significant fluctuations in water pressure and temperature if designed for the flow rate of the showerhead and can reduce risks of thermal shock and scalding. Check with a local plumber and, if necessary, install an auto-compensating mixing valve designed for the flow rate of the showerhead you plan to install.

Water is one of our most precious natural resources, and although the United States has an abundant supply, it is not evenly distributed throughout the country. Recent droughts illustrate that many areas are severely under supplied.
Water efficiency is no longer an option. Federal laws and regulations require agencies to implement water efficiency efforts, which have come to be considered an integral part of every comprehensive energy/resource management program. ❑