1. HOUSEHOLD WATER CONSERVATION

2. Low-Yielding Wells Well yield Maximum rate (GPM) that a well can be pumped without lowering the water level in the borehole below the pump intake Wells are considered low-yielding when they can not meet the “peak demand” for the home or farm. Peak Demand Refers to the peak usage times of water (usually in the morning or evening) Ideally this will be determined before a well is drilled

3. What can be done if an existing well is not meeting peak water demand? 2.Reduce peak water use Alter the timing of water-using activities Reduce the amount of water used (conservation) 1.Increasing water storage 1.Added water storage can be achieved in a pressure tank, a large storage tank, or in the drilled borehole. Consult the publication entitled “Using Low-Yielding Wells” in the well construction section of your book.

4. Water Use Terminology “Consumptive”“Non-Consumptive”

5. WHERE IS WATER USED IN PA? Thermoelectric (not shown) = 5,930 Water Use (million gallons per day)

6. SHIFTING POPULATION CHANGES LOCAL WATER USE ~20,000 new wells each year Wells Drilled 1960-1994

7. Household Water Use in PA 1900 –5 million residents –5 gallons per person per day 1995 –12 million residents –62 gallons per person per day

8. WHERE IS WATER USED IN THE HOME (69.3 GALLONS PER PERSON PER DAY)

9. Why Conserve Water? Save money !! –Energy savings (from heating water) –Water savings (for those that pay for water) Conserve your supply for later use Rebates- some utilities offer incentives for conservation Reduce the load to your septic or sewer system State Water Plan – Critical Water Planning Areas

10. Water Resources Planning Act (Passed December 2002) Objectives –Estimate how much water we have –Determine how much we use –Estimate how much we will need Creates a State Water Plan Registration of all large water users –Those using >10,000 gallons per day Water conservation education and assistance Identification of critical water resources planning areas Precursor to water resources based planning?

12. Achieving Water Conservation Changes in habits –Little or no cost –Quick effect –Usually temporary Water-saving appliances, fixtures –Can be expensive but return savings –Most are easily installed –Very effective –Permanent

13. Changes in Habits Often touted during droughts Examples Shorter showers Wait for full laundry loads Less frequent toilet flushing Reduce outdoor watering No car washing

14. TOILETS Largest user of water in most homes Average use = 5.1 flushes per person per day Conventional = 4 to 5 gallons per flush (gpf) New toilets = 1.6 gpf 1.6 gpf toilets have been required since 1994

15. Other Water-Saving Toilets Mostly commercial or recreational uses Dual flush – new or retrofit kit Air-assisted Utilizes air compressor About 0.5 gallons per flush Noisy Composting No water use Requires careful maintenance Best for low-use situations Air-assisted Composting toilet and composter Dual flush

16. Clothes Washers Average use = 2.6 loads per week per person Conventional = 45 to 51 gallons per load (gpl) Front-loading = 27 gpl Disadvantages More expensive initially Bending to get clothes Longer wash time Advantages Significant energy savings Less detergent Less drying needed Larger load capacity Cleaner clothes Less wear and tear on clothes

17. Dish Washer 50% of homes have one Similar water use to hand-washing Average use = about 1 load per week per person Conventional = about 11 gallons per load Water efficient = 4 to 7 gpl

18. Faucets Average use = 4 minutes per day per person Conventional = 3 to 6 gallons per minute Low-volume = 1.5 gallons per minute (as low as 0.5 gpm for bathroom) Very inexpensive 2.5 gpm faucets required since 1994

19. Showerheads Average use = 8 minutes per day per person Conventional = 3 to 6 gallons per minute Low-volume = 2 to 2.5 gallons per minute Some have manual shut-off for extra savings Very inexpensive Savings depend on habits also 2.5 gpm showerhead required since 1994

20. Effect of Water Conservation Normal use = 68 gallons per day per person Conservation use = 38 gallons per day per person Water Use (gallons per day)

21. Estimated Annual Water and Energy Savings (family of four) Water SavingsEnergy Savings Appliance(gallons)(kilowatt hours) Low-flush toilet18,000 0 Low-volume showerhead 4,000 500 Low-volume faucet 9,000 500 Front-loading washer13,0001,300 Water-efficient dishwasher 600 150 Total44,6002,450 Annual Dollar Savings Water44,600 gallons @ $0.005 per gallon ~ $225 Energy2,450 Kwh @ $0.08 per kWh ~ $200

22. Outdoor Water Conservation Usually small in PA (< 10%) High percentage is evaporated (consumptive use) First target of drought restrictions Examples Rain barrels to collect roof water Drip or soaker hoses for irrigation Nighttime watering No car washing, filling pools, etc.

23. House built in 1989, four family members 2.5 bathrooms – Three – 4.0 gpf toilets – Two showers (3 gpm showerheads) – Three bathroom faucets (3 gpm aerators) Kitchen faucet (3 gpm) Standard 11 gpl dishwasher Top loading clothes washer (51 gpl) Swistock Home Original Water Appliances

24. Toilets – 4 family X 5 flushes each X 4 gpf = 80 gpd Showers – 4 family X 5 minutes each X 3 gpm = 60 gpd Faucets – 4 family X 4 minutes each X 3 gpm = 48 gpd Dishwasher – 4 loads per week X 14 gpl = 56 gpw = 8 gpd Clothes washer – 8 loads per week X 51 gpl = 408 gpw = 58 gpd = 254 gallons per day = 63.5 gpd per person Estimated Daily Water Use (2002)

25. Toilets (2005-2009) – Replaced three toilets (4 gpf) with low-flush (1.6 gpf) – Cost ~$700 Showers (2007-2008) – Replaced two showerheads (3 gpm) with low flow (1.5 gpm) – Cost ~ $70 Faucets (2006-2008) – Replaced four faucets (3 gpm) with low flow (1.5 gpm) – Two aerators, two faucets - cost ~ $300 Water Conservation Retrofits

26. Dishwasher (2005) – Replaced 14 gpl with 4.5 (water miser) unit – Cost ~ $400 Clothes washer (2009) – Replaced 51 gpl top-loader with 27 gpl front loader – Cost ~$650 Total cost for retrofits = $2,120 Water Conservation Retrofits

27. COST SAVINGS - FAMILY OF FOUR ApplianceCost Water Savings (gpy) Annual $$ Saved on Water 1 Annual $$ Saved on Energy 2 Toilets$70017,520$88~ Showers$7010,950$55$114 Faucets$3008,760$44$40 Washer$6509,984$50$61 Dishwasher$4001,976$10$32 Total$2,12049,190 33 gppd $247 1 @.5 cents per gallon 2 Gallons X kWh per gallon X $ per kWh

28. $2,120 in investment saves $250 to $500 per year Keep in mind – Dishwasher, clothes washer, one toilet and two faucets were only replaced when necessary. Only added cost was ~ $300 for front-loading washer – Actual discretionary investment was closer to $900 – Added water heater replacement saves ~ $30 per year at no additional charge Cost / Benefit

29. Septic system failures often due to hydraulic overload from peak or sustained water use Water conservation measures reducing wastewater by 25% to 40% may eliminate or reduce hydraulic overload Does not reduce pumping frequency – solids still present What About Septic System Savings?

30. Low yielding wells can often be “solved” with water conservation Focus on showers and clothes washer Many examples of this working Peak use reduction Low-Yielding Wells

31. Water Conservation Resources