Water Conservation:

Current & Future TrendsAnd

A (small) Success Story

ByRichard M. Silberman

Co-President, Managing DirectorHealthy Buildings

Price = f(supply, demand)

Limited Supply

Uneven Supply

Our Problem: Aging Infrastructure

Demand: Population Growth

Demand: More Uses

Current & Future Trends

InWater Conservation

Low/No Flow Bathroom Fixtures

Leak Detection

One bad toilet leak can result in > 1,000 gallons/day of wasted water!

Cooling Towers

Measure, log, analyze to maximize cycles of concentration

Rainwater Harvesting

Greywater Recycling

Water Efficient Landscaping

Water Efficient Irrigation

A (small) Success Story:

The Tower Companies1828 L Street NW

“Toilet Fixture Customization”(a.k.a. “Fixture Tuning”)

Water Use in Commercial Buildings

The average daily water use in U.S. commercial buildings:

20 -- 35 gallons per day per employee

Toilets account for 31% of ALL indoor water use in the U.S.

Problems with Fixture Replacement

• Expensive

• Sometimes Ineffective

• Disruptive

• Intrusive

Flushometer

Flushometer Assembly

3.5 GPF2.4 GPF1.6GPF1.28 GPF

COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE FLUSHOMETER ASSEMBLIES

UnnecessarilyHigh

Often Impractically Low

3.5 GPF2.4 GPF1.6GPF1.28 GPF

Identifying the “Sweet Spot” for Assembly Customization

UnnecessarilyHigh

Often Impractically Low

Tuning “Sweet Spot”

“Custom” Flush kits designed & assembled by Healthy Buildings, as part of the WET

Program. Ideal Flush rates are determined by the existing china models and water

pressure

Results Summary – Year 1

Estimated Savings

834,905 gallons$9,6871.6 yr simple payback

Actual Savings

1,115,956 gallons (26.3%)$12,3231.3 yr simple payback

Thank you!

Richard M. SilbermanHealthy Buildings

(703) 323-4400rsilberman@healthybuildings.com