CREJ - Property Management Quarterly - August 2015
Property management involves many competing needs, which means water efficiency hasn’t always been a top priority. But for many - reasons, implementing effective water-conserving upgrades can be achieved successfully by using the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense-approved fixtures, professionals, programs and strategies. WaterSense is not a brand or a model. It is a sister program to Energy Star and delivers high-performance products that are at least 20 percent more efficient than standard, code-compliant versions. It is a designation of a product’s performance. The program’s goal is to overcome some long-held perceptions that low-flow products don’t work and to provide assurance that modern fixtures perform well, save water, save money and do so consistently. Some of the first versions of early 1990s lower-flow products didn’t work as well as they could have, and the market transition was difficult. But like all products, with feedback and development, progress was made and new technologies were implemented that allow these products to work well, while using far less water than previous, older versions. Major manufacturers, such as Toto, Kohler, American Standard, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Rain Bird, Toro and more, stake their reputation and business on products that meet market demands. For years these manufacturers have delivered high-quality, superior-performing toilets, urinals, showerheads, faucets and irrigation controllers. Innovations in glazing, trap-way design, flushing mechanisms and fluid dynamics created products that exceed expectations. The program was accomplished through partnership and collaboration of industry, government, utilities and other professionals. Manufacturers are a major contributor to the program, demonstrating their willingness to create products that meet mutual needs. Nowhere is this more important than in business, where functioning facilities are not a luxury but a requirement, and any disruption is a major concern that can be costly. To ensure performance and provide confidence to the community, WaterSense was formed in 2006 and brings together a variety of stakeholders to • Promote the value of water efficiency; • Provide users with easy ways to save water, as a label for products and an information resource to help people use water more efficiently; • Encourage innovation in manufacturing, services and industry capability; • Decrease water use and reduce strain on water resources and infrastructure; and • Deliver performance metrics for measurable savings and efficacy. The program seeks to help property managers make smart water choices that save money and maintain high environmental standards without compromising performance. The potential is astounding. If one in every 10 homes in the U.S. were to install WaterSense labeled faucets or faucet accessories in their bathrooms, we could save 6 billion gallons of water per year, and more than $50 million in the energy costs to supply, heat and treat that water. It’s the same for businesses. In Colorado and other water-scarce states, these savings represent important components to state, city and utility water conservation plans, existing utility rebates and efficiency messaging that is vital to our savings goals. Utilities, suppliers, retailers, organizations and services are promoting conservation that works for everyone. WaterSense is usually the venue to communicate these savings opportunities and has clear market differentiation to make choices easy. It has become the de-facto standard for replacement choices and recommended upgrades. For property managers, implementing these changes is easy. The products are readily available through all traditional procurement channels – big-box stores, online suppliers, catalog suppliers, local retailers and plumbing supply shops. The products come in many shapes, sizes, colors, fitments, styles and from virtually all brands. Typically, there are no additional costs associated with certified products, and they can be less expensive than the higher-use counterparts. The products are designated by the WaterSense seal, which is indicated on product detail sheets, sometimes located in eco sections or in environmentally friendly product suites. How are they different? In toilets, the maximum amount of water flow in a certified toilet is 1.28 gallons per flush. This is known as a high-efficiency toilet. Standard toilets are 1.6 gallons per flush and are known as ultra-low flush. The certified toilets are 20 percent more efficient. But you might ask, “How can these products work with less water?” To prove it, there is a scoring mechanism to justify performance claims and give purchasers a way to evaluate flushing power. To ensure objectivity, manufacturers submit products to be tested against approved protocols. Only products that meet these standards receive the WaterSense label. Test results, known as maximum performance scores, are available at Map-Testing.com. This clearinghouse site provides background on the evolution of the water efficiency industry, showcases the breadth of product options and improvements for products and, most importantly, the volume of wastes the toilets move, as well as insightful reports and studies. This topic always involves a bit of humor, and some terrific videos demonstrate how HETs are tested and compare to ULFs. To alleviate concerns, the scores actually inform how much solid waste equivalent all tested toilets process. The videos are worth a look for education and entertainment