Here is a copy of a old thread on water use started by Jason:
Water saving war strategy (by Jason PA [PA]) Feb 12, 2010 10:43 PM
Water saving war strategy (by WL [CA]) Feb 12, 2010 11:02 PM
Water saving war strategy (by Reid [KS]) Feb 13, 2010 12:21 AM
Water saving war strategy (by Mike [MI]) Feb 13, 2010 3:36 AM
Water saving war strategy (by Hollis [MA]) Feb 13, 2010 3:42 AM
Water saving war strategy (by Mike [MI]) Feb 13, 2010 4:13 AM
Water saving war strategy (by Jason PA [PA]) Feb 13, 2010 5:13 AM
Water saving war strategy (by Josh [CA]) Feb 13, 2010 5:39 AM
Water saving war strategy (by Jason PA [PA]) Feb 13, 2010 6:02 AM
Water saving war strategy (by Jason PA [PA]) Feb 13, 2010 6:05 AM
Water saving war strategy (by billy [MA]) Feb 13, 2010 6:44 AM
Water saving war strategy (by Robert,Ontario,Canada [ON]) Feb 13, 2010 6:57 AM
Water saving war strategy (by WL [CA]) Feb 13, 2010 7:43 AM
Water saving war strategy (by Hollis [MA]) Feb 13, 2010 8:21 AM
Water saving war strategy (by RJ [WI]) Feb 13, 2010 11:40 AM
Water saving war strategy (by Hollis [MA]) Feb 13, 2010 11:58 AM
Water saving war strategy (by RJ [WI]) Feb 13, 2010 12:53 PM
Water saving war strategy (by Hollis [MA]) Feb 13, 2010 1:14 PM
Water saving war strategy (by RJ [WI]) Feb 13, 2010 2:18 PM
Water saving war strategy (by Jason PA [PA]) Feb 13, 2010 2:54 PM
Water saving war strategy (by Chris [CA]) Feb 13, 2010 5:29 PM
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Water saving war strategy (by Jason PA [PA]) Posted on: Feb 12, 2010 10:43 PM
Message:
Thanks to all here that have given me some great input on saving some serious $$ with water conservation. I figured I would share what I have researched and done so far. I am implementing drastic changes in particular because our local city already has very high water sewer controlled rates and they are probably going up 40% very soon so the city can pay off it massive debt. Ok now I am getting serious about these issues and am going to get a strangelhold on these costs if I can. I am implementing major water saving changes at about 20 units for starters.
I have done alot of work but have not spent a lot of money for what are seeming to be some huge cashflow results. I figured I would share these findings so far with you.
average person in US uses 100 to 130 gallons per day
average person 30% of their water as hot water
If you reduce water pressure by 50% then you cut water flow (GPM) about 33%
Here are some BALLPARK numbers I came up with
From a small informal survey I did from a few local landlords, I noted that 1 to 2 bedroom apartments average 3 to 5,000 gallons of water a month, and 3 to 4 bedroom homes 5 to 8,000 gallons per month. And in the city at 1 cent per gallon. About 30% of that is hot water. My tenants and the ones other local landlords had use much less than 100 to 130 gallons a day I read off.
1 gallon of hot water costs 4 to 7 cents a gallon, and costs just under a penny a gallon for cold water (this is based on harrisburg city rates also including sewer utilization which is based on water usage)
Here is what I have done so far and also a few things that I should have done within a few weeks
Insulated every hot water pipe I can reach
Tamper proof showerheads (30% less flow and this go around they are tamperproof)
1 gpm low flow aerators everywhere and if it cuts pressure too much then try a 1.5 gpm. These are tamperproof and require a special tool as well.
Installing water regulator in main and cutting building main pressure somewhat
Preheat water tank piped before water heater. This is just a large tank that takes the water which is ground temperature coming into the building about 52 degrees and holds it in the very hot boiler room with placement near hottest part of the room. Depending on how long the water sits in the tank It might take 52 degree incoming water and with no energy to get 15 to 30 degrees above the 52 degrees, saving a considerable amount of fuel.
Before next heat season probably will replace water heater with a new technology called heat pump water heater. This technology alone might cut gas usage by 60 to 80% on it's own.
For $1.23 apiece I am installing water saver bags which can cut water usage from toilet use by up to 50%. I am skeptical about this as I will reduce the bag volume or even eliminate it if I start getting alot of toilet back ups due to not enough water.
replace more flappers and continue upgrading all old toilet parts to fluidmaster
Continue grinding bad seats and replacing with dripstop washers where I can.
Here is a website that I found that sells quite unique water saving devices that are designed to be tamperproof and still affordable.
I figured I would share this as I want to document this for my own records anyway. My 12 unit alone averaged 50,000 gallons a month and has had many runaway bills hit 60 to 100k gallons a month. Even before I implemented these strategies I had it down to 30 to 35000 a month with better preventive leak maintenance as well. The goal is to get the average down to 20,000 gallons a month in a property that on average has about 20 people living there. The fuel costs for hot water I hope to shrink alot as well.
--98.111.113.245
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Water saving war strategy (by WL [CA]) Posted on: Feb 12, 2010 11:02 PM
Message:
I was able, via advanced water bill reduction strategies and brainstorming, to reduce my water bill to zero. Method: go to the San Diego City Water Department, pay for two additional water meters, then separate the water lines for my triplex and send each tenant the bill for their own usage. Water and sewer bill went from $350 average per bill to $0 - I recommend it to you! --68.7.239.154
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Water saving war strategy (by Reid [KS]) Posted on: Feb 13, 2010 12:21 AM
Message:
Jason do you have any Kids or grand kids ? This project of yours would make a super science fair project if you let them work with you on this so they could then write it up as their work. It's got everything, water conservation, physics, mechanics , you name it. --70.244.102.15
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Water saving war strategy (by Mike [MI]) Posted on: Feb 13, 2010 3:36 AM
Message:
Don't forget gfxtechnology for shower drain water. A big payback with multi units.
Would recycling water eve catch on? Some municipalities down south plumb grey water for city use. Does it make sense to anyone to dispose of grey water to waste treatment plant then pump it back? It would be far simpler to recycle at home then dump excess to drain or irrigation. --208.100.200.129
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--71.80.xxx.xxx