Section 4: Water Efficiency Flashcards
In the U.S, the operation of buildings, including landscaping, accounts for approximately what percentage of the total water usage?
12%
In regards to water, what do submeters do?
Submeters report how much water is being used by systems and fixtures and alerts managers to leaks or other inefficiencies
Name three strategies for reducing indoor water usage
- Install efficient plumbing fixtures
- Use non potable water
- Install submeters
What is graywater?
Wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom sinks washing machines and laundry tubs
This water has not come into contact with toilet waste according to the International Plumbing Code (IPC)
What could be considered as blackwater?
Wastewater from toilets and urinals.
Kitchen sink, shower, and bathtub wastewater is also considered sources of blackwater due to what it could contain.
High-efficiency fixtures use less water than specified by which policy?
Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992
What is process water?
Water used for building systems and industrial purposes, such as:
- Heat and cooling air
- Chillers, cooling towers, and boilers
- Washing machines, ice machines, and dishwashers
Using only site’s precipitation for both indoor and outdoor water needs is called what?
Water balance
What is Xeriscaping?
The use of drought-tolerant native or adapted plants along with rocks, bark mulch, and other landscape elements
Name five strategies for reducing outdoor water use
- Choose locally adapted plants
- Use Xeriscaping
- Select efficient irrigation technologies
- Use non potable water
- Install submeters
What is drip irrigation?
Drip irrigation minimizes the use of water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, or tubing
Conventional irrigation has an irrigation efficiency of about what percent?
65%
Drip irrigation has an irrigation efficiency of what percent?
90%
In addition to rainwater, the typical suburban lawn consumes an estimated of how much water per year?
10,000 gallons
What are invasive plants?
Plants that grow quickly and aggressively, spreading and displacing other plants
Why are perennial flowers are preferred to annuals?
Because perennials will come back year after year and will require less watering
Flowers which come back year after year and will require less watering are known as what kind of flower?
Perennial flowers
How much of residential wastewater is graywater?
50-80%
A dual flush toilet could save what percentage of water?
67%
Under the EPAct of 1992, new toilets must not use more than how many gallons per flush (gpf).
1.6
Name three goals of the water efficiency credits?
- Reduce the quantity of water needed for a buildings and landscaping
- reduce municipal water use
- reduce the need for treatment of waste water
Name a program that help identify water efficient products and services?
WaterSense
Replacing a standard urinal with a waterless urinal could save an average of how many gallons per year?
40,000
A low-flow water closet uses what percentage less water than a conventional water closet?
30%
Flush fixtures, such as toilets and urinals, are measured by what metric?
Gallons per flush (gpf)
Flow fixtures, such as sink faucets, showerheads, and aerators, are measured by what metric?
Gallons per minute (gpm)
Name two water efficient strategies for an existing building with a limited budget
Aerators and flush valves
These are the two most economically feasible options if fixtures cannot be replaced.
What accounts for the primary use of outdoor water usage?
Irrigating landscaping
The amount of water delivered by sprinkler heads is measured by what metric?
Gallons per minute (gpm)
Cleaning dishes and clothes is best with which kind of water?
Potable water
What does HET stand for?
High Efficient Toilet
What is another name for drip irrigation?
Micro-irrigation