U8L6 Household Water Use

Question 1

Water-saving strategies fall into four general categories:

Answer 1

• limiting consumption
• reusing and recycling
• eliminating losses
• preventing pollution

Question 2

What is the definition of water-saving technologies?

Answer 2

The application of scientific knowledge to save water

Question 3

How do toilets waste water? How was this problem solved?

Answer 3

Older toilets can take seven gallons to flush. A 1992 federal standard mandates new toilets must use less than 1.6 gallons per flush. By replacing older toilets, the family can save more than $110 per year on their water bill.

Question 4

How do showers waste water? How was the problem solved?

Answer 4

Old showerheads typically use 5.5 gallons of water per minute. Since 1992, the federal standard for showerheads is 2.5 gallons per minute, and some showerheads use even less. Upgrading the showerhead can save 2,900 gallons per year. Since water needs to be heated, this also saves on energy costs.

Question 5

How much water does a high-efficiency washer use compared to a normal washing machine?

Answer 5

Their washing machine uses 40 gallons each cycle. High-efficiency, or HE, washing machines use about 13 gallons per cycle.

Question 6

How do front-loading washers save compare to top-loader washing machines?

Answer 6

Front-loading models hold nearly double the laundry of a top-loader, which saves water and energy.

Question 7

About how many gallons of water is used washing dishes?

Answer 7

20 gallons
…
Prior to the 1990s, kitchen faucets used 3 to 7 gallons per minute. It’s easy to use more than 20 gallons to hand-wash dishes.

Question 8

How do dishwashers save water compared to hand washing dishes?

Answer 8

Since 2013, standard dishwashers must use less than 5 gallons per cycle. If the family ran the kitchen faucet for only 3 minutes, it would use more water than a new dishwasher.

Question 9

What is a faucet aerator? How does it save water?

Answer 9

Instead of buying a dishwasher, they can also save some water by installing a faucet aerator. This inexpensive device adds air to the water, so less water is used.

Question 10

How does harvesting rainwater save water?

Answer 10

One way that households can recycle water is by harvesting rainwater. The most common way that households do this is by purchasing and installing rain barrels. A rain barrel usually holds between 50 and 100 gallons and can be installed at a gutter downspout.

Question 11

What can collected rainwater be used for?

Answer 11

Water collected using a rain barrel is commonly used to water lawns and gardens, or to wash vehicles and pets. However, with the right system in place, rainwater can be used for just about any nonpotable use in the home.

Question 12

What is them definition of non-potable?

Answer 12

Not safe for drinking

Question 13

What is gray water?

Answer 13

Gray water is any wastewater produced from washing, such as washing clothes or washing your hands.

Question 14

What doesn’t gray water contain?

Answer 14

Organic matter

Question 15

What can gray water contain?

Answer 15

It can, however, contain things such as dirt or soap.

Question 16

How can gray water be reused?

Answer 16

It can be used outside to water plants, or with special treatment, it can be used indoors for the flushing of toilets or washing clothes.

Question 17

What is black water?

Answer 17

Blackwater is wastewater generated from toilets or any other water that has come into contact with organic material or waste.

Question 18

What is the difference between black and gray waste cost wise?

Answer 18

Blackwater requires more extensive treatment than gray water, so generally it has to go through the local wastewater treatment facility for treatment.

Question 19

What is black water that comes from the kitchen?

Answer 19

Wastewater that is generated from a kitchen (such as a sink or dishwasher) is technically considered gray water, but the potential for grease and pathogens makes it more expensive and complex to treat. Because of this, wastewater from kitchens should be treated as blackwater.

Question 20

Why are gray water uses used a lot in California.

Answer 20

Gray water use has been particularly championed in drought-prone areas, such as California. With available fresh water in short supply in those areas, the number of graywater systems that have been installed continues to rise.

Question 21

What is a drawback of gray water?

Cost

Answer 21

Installing a graywater treatment system in a house can be expensive and so may be out of reach for many households.

Question 22

What is a drawback of gray water?

Restrictions

Answer 22

Depending on local regulations, the treatment and use of gray water may be restricted, so make sure to check with your local or state government.

Question 23

What is a drawback of gray water?

Health

Answer 23

As there are potential health risks that are involved with gray water, it is crucial to make sure the gray water is treated properly. If it is not properly handled and stored, it can lead to the spread of diseases, smells, and decrease soil quality.

Question 24

How many gallons of water do American households water a year?

Answer 24

1 trillion gallons of water

Question 25

What are smart water-leak detectors?

Answer 25

Smart water-leak detectors can send an alert to your smartphone when they sense water. These detectors work by connecting your smartphone to sensors placed around your home in water-leak prone areas. The simplest devices sound an alarm on your smartphone when water is detected. Some also have an alarm that sounds at the point of the leak, so that you don’t have to have your smartphone to be notified of the leak.