Water Conservation - Household Applications

Household Applications

Water-saving technology for the home includes:

• Low-flow shower heads sometimes called energy-efficient shower heads as they also use less energy,
• Low-flush toilets and composting toilets. These have a dramatic impact in the developed world, as conventional Western toilets use large volumes of water.
• Dual flush toilets created by Caroma includes two buttons or handles to flush different levels of water. Dual flush toilets use up to 67% less water than conventional toilets.
• Saline water (sea water) or rain water can be used for flushing toilets.
• Faucet aerators, which break water flow into fine droplets to maintain "wetting effectiveness" while using less water. An additional benefit is that they reduce splashing while washing hands and dishes.
• Wastewater reuse or recycling systems, allowing:
  • Reuse of graywater for flushing toilets or watering gardens
  • Recycling of wastewater through purification at a water treatment plant. See also Wastewater - Reuse
• Rainwater harvesting
• High-efficiency clothes washers
• Weather-based irrigation controllers
• Garden hose nozzles that shut off water when it is not being used, instead of letting a hose run.
• using low flow taps in wash basins
• Swimming pool covers that reduce evaporation and can warm pool water to reduce water, energy and chemical costs.
• Automatic faucet is a water conservation faucet that eliminates water waste at the faucet. It automates the use of faucets without the use of hands.

Water can also be conserved by landscaping with native plants and by changing behavior, such as shortening showers and not running the faucet while brushing teeth.

• Use waste water for growth of plants