Driving action on waterissues
In light of the recent announcement of a mandatory 25-per-cent water-usage reduction in California and ongoing US and global water shortages, Kohler is encouraging consumers to take action within their homes and communities to find ways to actively save w
“The economic and environmental benefits of reducing water consumption are significant no matter where you live. If you haven’t taken action to reduce your family’s and home’s water usage, now is the time,” said Rob Zimmerman, sustainability channel marketing manager of the US-based plumbing giant.
“Whether a small thing like pledging to take action through ‘Change the Course’, or swapping out your old 3.5-gallon-per-flush toilet for a water-efficient model, the steps you take to reduce water use in your home can make a difference,” he said.
Kohler has joined forces with “Change the Course”, a first-of-its-kind water-sustainability campaign to support water-flow restoration projects in the Colorado River Basin.
Kohler’s participation is yet another example of the company’s sustainability efforts, which include driving awareness of water-related issues and encouraging consumers to take action. Kohler’s effort, communicated through its “Believing in Better” platform, has been recognised many times over by the US Environmental protection Agency’s “WaterSense” programme, the US Green Building Council and other sustainability-focused organisations.
“One of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce indoor water consumption is by updating plumbing fixtures and faucets to new models that carry the EPA’s WaterSense label,” said Zimmerman.
“These products are independently certified to not only reduce water use by at least 20 per cent, but also pass strict performance criteria. If your plumbing fixtures are more than eight years old, consider taking advantage of local rebate programmes and replace them with WaterSense products,” he added.
Top 3 ways to save water at home
Install a high-efficiency toilet that flushes with 1.28 gallons or less
Unfortunately, many homes still use toilets that consume 3.5 gallons per flush. In the US, for example, at least 50 per cent of existing toilets still flush with 3.5 gallons. If an average family of four swaps out a 3.5gpf toilet for a high-efficiency, 1.28gpf toilet, they can save 16,500 gallons per year. And that adds up to a lot of money saved.
Replace an old showerhead with a low-flow one
The No-2 priority is in the shower, where the standard flow rate is 2.5 gallons per minute. Installing WaterSense-labelled showerheads or handshowers cuts the flow rate to 2.0gpm. Advanced water engineering in new high-efficiency Kohler showerheads provides the same coverage as a standard flow showerhead, plus multi-function performance that still lets you dial down to get a power massage shower.
Change bathroom-sink faucet or aerator for a more efficient one
The No-3 water-saving priority can complete the water-saving bathroom. Bathroom-sink faucets that are WaterSense-certified, or adding more-efficient 1.5gpm aerators, to 2.2-gpm faucets can save water in small but impactful ways. Aerators are small collar-like applications attached to a faucet, containing a fine mesh grid that allows air to be mixed with the solid stream of water. The water pressure remains the same, but the actual volume of water is reduced – the more air added to the water stream, the more water saved.
