Factors For Achieving Water Conservation Excellence:
|
The Promise of
Dual Flush
|
|
A recent development that holds promise of water conservation is Dual-Flush technology. Dual-Flush toilets allow the user to select a full flush (1.6 gallons per flush) or reduced flush (average 0.8 - 1.1 gallons per flush). Australia is the second driest continent on Earth, and a country where the need for water conservation is understood throughout the population. It has been using the product for years, having mandated Dual-Flush technology in all residential applications, which has greatly impacted the demand on local water supplies. The latest information on its performance and acceptance is a pilot program conducted in Canada using Dual-Flush toilet technology in residential, commercial, and institutional settings. The Canadian study, conducted by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in partnership with 12 municipalities, monitored water consumption, toilet performance, and customer satisfaction with the Dual-Flush system. The Dual-Flush performed well based on water consumption rates, saving an average of approximately 26% percent more water than standard 1.6 gpf fixtures. Until now, Dual-Flush was only available in residential "tank" style fixtures. Many designers have been so eager, they've actually used these fixtures in a commercial application. Recently, a new Dual-Flush Flushometer was introduced which will bring the advantages of Dual-Flush to a wider range of commercial projects. Related to LEED, the product will count towards water use reduction credits and help a design team get the points for water efficiency. The new Dual-Flush Flushometer will effectively reduce water use on the toilet by an average of 26% according to the Canadian study. A well performing 1.6 gpf fixture is recommended for use with the new Dual-Flush Flushometer-the product is also available as an easy retrofit to existing fixtures making the water reductions available to older projects. |
List Of Works Consulted
"Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings: Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR 2002; 51 (No. RR-16).
National Center for Health Statistics. Vital statistics of the United States. 119th ed. Washington: U.S. Census Bureau. Statistical abstract of the United States; 1999
"Microbiological Hazards of Household Toilets: Droplet Production and Fate of Residual Organisms," American Society for Microbiology, Applied Microbiology, Aug. 1975, Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 229-237.
"Comparative surface-to-hand and fingertip-to-mouth transfer efficiency of gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and phage," Journal of Applied Microbiology, Oct. 2002, Vol. 93, No. 4, pp. 585-592.
"Effects of 4 Hand-Drying Methods for Removing Bacteria From Washed Hands: A Randomized Trial," Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2000; 75:705-708.
"Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2000," U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1268, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Susan S. Hutson, Nancy L. Barber, Joan F. Kenny, Kristin S. Linsey, Deborah S. Lumia, and Molly A. Maupin.
"Water Efficiency: Sound Principles of Water Management," North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance.
"Urban Nonresidential Water Use and Conservation. In: Water-Use Data for Water Resources Management," pp. 371-380, (Eds) M. Waterstone and R. J. Burt. Proceedings of the 1988 Symposium of the American Water Resources Association, Tucson, AZ. August 1988.
"The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings," California Integrated Waste Management Board, California's Sustainable Building Task Force.
"Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis," Annual Supplement to Laura I. Schultz NIST Handbook 135 and NBS Special Publication 709, Amy S. Rushing, Sieglinde K. Fuller, April 2004. American Society of Healthcare Engineers, Green Healthcare Construction Guidance Statement, January 2002.
"Construction Expenditures Branch of the Manufacturing and Construction Division," U.S. Census Bureau
American School and University Magazine
"Estimates of School Statistics 2004," National Education Association, May, 2004
|
About Sloan
|
||
|
Sloan Valve Company is a single source of water-conserving plumbing systems for construction professionals across the globe. Along with its flagship Flushometer products, Sloan manufactures sensor-operated and manually activated faucets, sink lavatory systems, electronic soap dispensers, touchless hand dryers, waterfree urinal fixtures and pressure-assist flushing systems. Recognizing a void for quality plumbing products outside the restroom, Sloan also established itself as a leading manufacturer of surgical scrub stations, showerheads and computerized plumbing control systems that regulate water use in defined locations and at specified times. With a comprehensive line of products, Sloan remains the leading manufacturer of "green" plumbing solutions to the world market. For more information, contact Jim Allen at: Sloan Valve Company, 10500 Seymour Avenue, Franklin Park, IL 60131,www.sloanvalve.com, 800-9-VALVE-9, 800-982-5839,jallen@sloanvalve.com.
|
Notice
