HomeMy WebLinkAboutRPT 2 WTR SAV'NG DEV 06-17-91REPORTS NO. 2
6-17-91
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�A Ti= JUNE 17, 1991 f,
TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: WATER SAVING DEVICES
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file.
BACKGROUND
With California in its fifth consecutive year of drought, water
conservation is foremost in everyone's mind. The City of Tustin
has taken action by adopting the Water Management Program in
response to the Metropolitan Water District's (MWD) f ive-stage
Incremental Interruption and Conservation Program (IICP). In
response to MWD's Stage III 30% reduction in purchased water
allotment, the City has implemented a 15% mandatory reduction
program for its water users.
Through the Finance Department's water bills, Tustin residents are
being informed of personal actions they can take to comply with the
mandatory reduction in usage. In addition to altering their water -
use habits, residents and business owners may install water -saving
devices.
DISCUSSION
The available devices on the market include a) flow restrictors,
b) flow interrupters, and c) low volume fixtures and appliances.
Flow restrictors are generally metal washers with a smaller than
normal hole in the center. They are easily installed in faucets
and shower heads by placing the flow restrictor next to the
rubberized washer within the faucet head. These are inexpensive,
easy to install and can result in a 50% reduction of water usage.
Flow interrupters are inexpensive devices which are also easily
installed on faucets and shower heads. By flipping a small lever,
water flow is temporarily interrupted until the lever is flipped on
again. This can be very useful when maintaining a certain water
temperature is desired; the flow can be stopped and started without
having to adjust the hot and cold controls each time.
June 17, 1991
Water Saving Devices
Page two
To benefit from these devices, a change of habit is required.
Combined with flow-restrictors, substantial water savings can be
achieved.
More sophisticated and expensive flow interrupters use laser
sensors to detect motion near the faucet. When hands are near the
faucet, the flow is automatically started and then stopped when
hands are moved away. They are more effective in non-residential,
high -use restrooms where its not necessary to know how to operate
them.
A major low use water fixture is the toilet (or water closet) with
a small tank reservoir; it's also the most controversial.
Currently, California Health and Safety Code and Section 1001.1 of
the Uniform Plumbing Code require that all new buildings must use
water closets and associated f lushometer valve that use 3.5 gallons
and are classified "water -conservation", as defined by ANSI
112.19.2, and urinals and associated flushometer valves that use
less than 1.5 gallons per flush. The code sections also apply to
additions and renovations of existing buildings, except when
substantial modification to an existing plumbing system would be
necessary.
A recently approved update to the Health and Safety Code requires
that effective January 1, 1992, all new buildings must use water
closets and associated f lushometer valves that use no more than 1.6
gallon per flush and meet the performance standards of ANSI
112.19.2. Urinals and associated f lushometer valves must use no
more than 1.0 gallons per flush and meet the same ANSI performance
standard. An exception to this regulation allows the local
enforcement agency to permit the use of standard flush toilets or
urinals when the configuration of the building drainage system
requires a greater quantity of water to adequately flush the
system. Tests have shown that 1.6 gallons under pressure can
effectively move solid waste through the buildings sanitary
drainage system and out to the public sewer main.
The controversy is whether or not the solid waste can be adequately
carried by the sewer main when the water flow is reduced.
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
(IAMPO), co-authors of the Uniform Plumbing Code, have been
discussing this issue for over ten years without reaching an
agreement as a group. The opinion of the Irvine Ranch Water
District (IRWD) and the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD),
both of whom maintain the City's sewer system, is that there will
not be a maintenance problem. IRWD has noticed a recent reduction
of daily flow into their treatment facility, which could be
June 17, 1991
Water Saving Devices
Page three
attributed to the water reduction program and the increased use of
water conserving devices, including toilets. They normally design
their sewer mains for minimum flow due to the extended time frame
it takes for areas to develop to maximum capacity. The OCSD is
looking forward to the reduced flow in their sewer mains, as many
are near or at full capacity. The result could be a postponement
of capital improvement projects.
A recent check with a local plumbing supplier revealed that
approximately 75% of their toilet sales are the 1.6 gallon tanks.
An average quality 3.5 gallon toilet costs about $80.00, where the
same quality 1.6 gallon toilet costs about $100.00. Last year
toilet manufacturers were selling 3.5 gallon toilets modified to
use 1.6 gallons. This year the 1.6 gallon version is designed
specifically to use less water and is a better product.
Current Tustin City Codes do not regulate, or encourage the use of
low f low devices beyond the State requirements. The State adopted
version of the Uniform Plumbing Code, which the City of Tustin
enforces, currently requires the installation of the 3.5 gallon
toilets and 1.5 gallon urinals. Effective January 1, 1992, the
requirement will be lowered to 1.6 gallon toilets and 1.0 gallon
urinals. By ordinance, at that time would the City adopt changes
to the Uniform Plumbing Code which would require low use devices
for new construction and remodeling existing facilities.
Exhibit A includes a summary of typical water conservation fixtures
and appliances, their average costs and a list of several
manufacturers of these devices. Upon concurrence of the City
Council, staff will prepare a list of Tustin -area suppliers of
these devices for public distribution.
!Christine Shingle Thomas P. Whisler
Assistant City Manager Building Official
Community Development Department
CAS:TPW:watercon:jk
EXHIBIT A
SAMPLE OF LOCALLY AVAILABLE FIXTURES
Retrofit
Water Conservation
Average Cost
Manufacturers
Fixture or Appliance
•
FLOW RESTRICTORS
$2
Resources
Conservation, Inc.
Faucet washers
(RCI)
FLOW INTERUPTERS
$5-7
RCI
Plumbing Shops
Faucet heads and
shower heads
SHOWER HEADS
$8-20
RCI
Melard Mfg.
Combination restrictor
Plumbing Shops
and interupter
Interbath
TOILET TANK DAMS
$6
RCI
WATER CONSERVATION KIT
$7
RCI
Similar to those
distributed by
Finance Department