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Water Conservation
We are blessed with an abundance of fresh water in our region; one fifth of the world's supply is within a few hours' drive. Water is comparatively inexpensive from the meter in Michigan, and it is easy to be complacent about our water use. Even though our underground aquifers are not showing signs of severe stress as they are in other parts of the country, a little-known fact is that Michigan's aquifers are being overused, and water is being withdrawn far faster than it is replaced. No matter where you live, water is a precious resource, and should be used with thought and care.
By building green, we can save large quantities of water and have high performance water delivery systems that are considered luxury features in a home. Ultimately the decision to save water should manifest itself in habits that use less water for the greatest reductions, but the following are several methods that can be used to substantially reduce the amount of water the average home uses without taking into account these habits:
- PEX Central Manifold Supply - These systems run individual hot and cold supply lines to each fixture from a central manifold that operates much like a breaker panel for electrical service. Each hot and cold water line to each fixture can be shut off at the manifold by pushing a button. Because the water does not flow through a length of 3/4 inch pipe before getting to a 1/2 inch fixture line, the water, particularly hot water, gets to the end fixture without nearly as much water being used. Because cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing is flexible and can make turns as a sweep rather than hard right angles required with plumbed fittings it can be run as a single piece, and because PEX has a smoother interior than copper, the inside diameter of the tubing can be narrower and still deliver the same water pressure as copper tubing. Best of all, PEX tubing is far cheaper than copper, has a higher pressure rating before bursting than copper, requires less labor to install, uses far less energy in manufacture than copper, and does not release toxic metals during manufacture or in the pipes of your home.
- Recirculating Hot Water - This high-end feature does not cost a great deal to install and can pay for itself in a relatively short time frame. Hot water circulates continuously through the house, and when the user needs hot water, it is instantly on. This can save about 15,000 gallons of water for a family of four over the course of a year by not waiting for the lines to clear before hot water is delivered, and is a feature that most homeowners will fall in love with. There is an energy cost associated with continuously heating the hot water, but it is less than the cost of the wasted water. For the best of both worlds, sensors can be placed in room that begins the circulation of hot water as soon as movement is detected in an area that could need hot water. Hot water is not being circulated when the room is vacant, but it is available when needed.
- Low Water Use Fixtures and Appliances - A homeowner can install any number of fixtures that use far less water without compromising performance. Low-flow showerheads and toilets that use far less water are common items, as are front-loading washers and water-saving dishwashers. An item that goes all the way is a composting toilet that has zero water use, and can be emptied periodically and used as food that plants will love. While this can sound gross to some, it is ultimately the method of the circular relationship between plants and animals, only in a much more localized geographic area.
- Gray-Water Systems - A gray-water system can consist of 2 different collection mechanisms. The first captures water runoff from a roof, while the second captures lightly used water such as that from showers, sinks and washing machines. This reclaimed water can be used to irrigate landscaping, or can be used to flush toilets, both of which use high volumes, and do not require potable water. A tank is used to store the water and will have a pump that will send the water to appropriate end use points. A gray-water system effectively has 2 separate plumbing systems, which will be more expensive to install, but if designed correctly can be a reasonably priced and save money as well as water. Some municipalities do not allow gray-water systems, but reducing water use is something that is in every community's best interest. A gray-water system should not collect water from a asphalt roof due to the presence of heavy metals in roofing material, which can contaminate soil on the site over time. Likewise, if a gray-water system collects water from interior fixtures, the owners should use only biodegradable soaps.
- Xeriscaping and low water use irrigation – Landscaping with native plants that do not need irrigation is a good method for decreasing water use. At a minimum, installing a point-of-use drip irrigation system for plants will significantly cut water use, as will watering at night when less evaporation will occur. Most plants like to have their roots get very wet and then very dry in a cycle. While counter-intuitive, watering plants after a brief rainstorm can take advantage of water that did not reach deeply into the soil, and will require less watering to achieve the same effect.
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