Filter by country

Filter by country

Filter by objective

Filter by sectors

Technology Type Group
CTCN
Definition
<p>Water efficiency is reducing water wastage by measuring the amount of water required for a particular purpose and the amount of water used or delivered.</p>

Total freshwater withdrawals reported for 163 countries by the Pacific Institute showed that in the median country residential water use accounted for 16% of total freshwater withdrawals (Gleick et al., 2006). Therefore, residential conservation efforts can make a strong positive contribution to reducing pressure on water resources. Reducing water use in municipal systems also contributes to climate change mitigation by decreasing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Water conservation can lead to large savings in the energy used to transport, treat and distribute piped water (USEPA, 2010).

Description:

There is some evidence that per capita water use in a society follows the pattern of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) (Yang and Jia, 2005; Anisfield, 2010). That is, per capita water use increases rapidly with economic development to a “turning point” where it begins to decline (Figure 1).

Examples of industrialized countries that have experienced declining per capita water use include the United States and Japan. In the US, per capita water use peaked in 1975 and then declined nearly 30% over the next 30 years (Pacific Institute, 2009). Although most progress in the US has been attributable to improved industrial and agricultural efficiency, the use of water efficient appliances and fixtures in homes, institutions and businesses can contribute greatly to water conservation efforts. In Japan, residential per capita water use increased by about 25% in the 1980s, leveled off in the 1990s and began to decline in 2000. This progress has been attributed to the increasing use of water efficient appliances and fixtures (Nakagawa et al., 2010).

The most common water efficient appliances include dishwashers and clothes washing machines; popular fixtures include toilets, showerheads and faucets. They can simply use less water while yielding comparable performance (e.g. low-flow showerheads). Alternatively, these appliances can be more complex, as devices that use gray water from the sink for toilet flushing (see figure 2). Other products give visual or audible feedback to the user about resource consumption and rely on behaviour change (Elizondo and Lofthouse, 2010).

The transfer of the water efficient technologies from wealthy countries to developing countries can potentially hasten progress toward the EKC “turning point” and conserve water resources (Elizondo and Lofthouse, 2010). Making efficient appliances available on the market is necessary but may not be sufficient. Three major strategies to increase the use of water efficient appliances and fixtures are discussed below:

  • Mandates – mandating water efficiency standards for new construction and replacement of old fixtures and appliances; mandating use of water efficient products in government facilities.
  • Labeling – certification systems for water efficient products; adding the estimated cost of use, also called the “second price tag,” to labels.
  • Tax incentives – for purchasing and installing efficient products; for retro-fitting and replacing older fixtures.

Although important and effective, these are only a few of the strategies used to reduce residential water use. Educating users, metering individual homes, implementing volumetric pricing, fixing leaks, and limiting outdoor water use are also important steps for conversion (Elizondo and Lofthouse, 2010; USEPA, 2008).

Advantages of the technology

A warmer climate is highly likely to result in more frequent drought (IPCC, 2007). Additionally, growing population will push many countries into water stress and water scarcity by 2050. Water conservation is an essential part of comprehensive strategies to reduce pressure on existing water resources. The industrial and agricultural sectors account for a large majority of global freshwater use. However, total freshwater withdrawals reported for 163 countries by the Pacific Institute showed that in the median country residential water use accounted for 16% of total freshwater withdrawals (Gleick et al., 2006). Therefore, residential conservation efforts can make a strong positive contribution to reducing pressure on water resources.

Reducing water use in municipal systems also contributes to climate change mitigation by decreasing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Water conservation can lead to large savings in the energy used to transport, treat and distribute piped water (USEPA, 2010).

Increasing access to piped water at home leads to large gains in health and development. However, domestic water demand increases rapidly as households gain access to water intensive appliances and sanitary facilities (Zhou and Tol, 2005). As population expands and water resources are stressed, economic development can be hindered (Gleick et al., 2002). Implementing residential water efficiency measures can slow the onset of water stress and preserve water resources.

Financial requirements and costs

Establishing a functioning certification process may be costly depending on existing capacity. However, the costs for individual households are generally small and may be fully recovered by water savings over the lifetime of the product.

Institutional and organisational requirements

A functioning infrastructure for standard-setting, testing and certification of water efficient products requires expertise across a range of areas. Professionals with experience from other sectors in standard-setting and certification may be able to transfer their knowledge to water efficiency. Alternatively, standards could be adopted in whole or part from a nearby country where the same products are generally available.

Regardless of the mechanism used to encourage water conservation, policy makers and residents must be educated. Initiatives to promote water conservation may be practical in schools, through media and by other means. Branding and marketing is necessary for any certification system so that residents know the label and associate it with quality and efficiency.

Increasing the use of water efficient appliances is primarily an institutional challenge. Although some citizens may be motivated to save water by environmental concerns, economic or other incentives are likely to be necessary to either incentivize or mandate the installation, production and sale of such appliances (Elizondo and Lofthouse, 2010; Geller et al., 1983; Van Vugt, 2001). Transparent processes are necessary for standard-setting, testing and certification of individual products. Additionally, the use of tax incentives requires a tax structure that allows exemptions (e.g. from sales tax) or tax credits for certain purchases.

Barriers to implementation

Potential for misrepresentation or corruption in a certification and labelling process is a challenge. Even the US, with relatively well-functioning certification and legal systems, has struggled to ensure that Energy Star labels accurately reflect energy use (Bounds, 2010). Fixed (unmetered) water tariffs present a major barrier to implementation of residential water conservation programs as they remove any financial incentive to conserve.

Opportunities for implementation

Populations that perceive the importance of environmental and water resource conservation will generally be more open to changing behaviours around water. In areas where people feel tightly bonded to their communities, they are more willing to set aside self-interest to conserve a common resource (Van Vugt, 2001). Welldeveloped tax codes or the ability to exempt certain products from sales tax provide opportunities for additional incentives.

References

The most thorough overview of water efficiency standards worldwide is found in a 2009 European Union (EU) report. The EU does not currently have published mandatory efficiency standards for water using products, but is expected to have them soon through the Ecodesign Directive. The report provides an overview of voluntary and mandatory measures within the EU, in member states and around the world. It also provides detailed accounts of the impacts of existing policies, the anticipated efficiency gains if mandatory standards were implemented, product testing procedures, policy options, and other valuable content.

  • Anisfield, S.C. (2010) Water Resources (Foundations of Contemporary Environmental Studies Series). Island Press. Washington, DC.
  • Bounds, G. (2010) Misleading Claims on ‘Green’ Labeling. The Wall Street Journal. October 26, 2010. [[1]]
  • Elizondo, G.M. and Lofthouse, V. (2010) Towards a Sustainable Use of Water at Home: Understanding How Much, Where and Why?. Journal of Sustainable Development. Vol. 3:3-10.
  • Geller, E.S., Erickson, J.B., & Buttram, B.A. (1983). Attempts to promote residential water conservation with educational, behavioural and engineering strategies. Population and Environment. Vol. 6:96-112.
  • Gleick, P.H., Chalecki, E.L., and Wong, A. (2002) Measuring Water Well-Being: Water Indicators and Indices. In “The world’s water, 2002-2003: the biennial report on freshwater resources” Ed. Gleick, P.H. Island Press. Washington, DC.
  • Gleick, P.H., Cooley, H., Lee, E., Morrison, J., Palaniappan, M., Samulon, A. and Wolff, G. (2006) Table 2: Freshwater Withdrawal by Country and Sector. In “The World’s Water: 2006-2007.” Ed. by P.H. Gleick. Island Press. Washington, DC.
  • IPCC (2007). Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report.
  • Nakagawa, N., Kawamura, A., and Amaguchi, H. (2010) Analysis of Decreasing Tendency of Domestic Water Use per Capita in Tokyo. Conference Proceedings of BALWOIS 2010 - Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia - 25, 29 May 2010. [[2]]
  • Pacific Institute (2009) Fact Sheet on water Use in the United States. Oakland, USA. [[3]]
  • USEPA (2008) Indoor Water Use in the United States. Document EPA-832-F-06-004. [[4]]
  • USEPA (2010) Saving Water Saves Energy. Document EPA-832-K-08-001. [[5]]
  • Van Vugt, M. (2001) Community Identification Moderating the Impact of Financial Incentives in a Natural Social Dilemma: Water Conservation. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. Vol. 27:1440-1449.
  • Yang, H., and Jia, S.F. (2005) Industrial Water Use Kuznets Curve: Evidence from Industrialized Countries and Implications for Developing Countries. [[6]]
  • Zhou, Y. And Tol, R.S.J. (2005) Water Use in China’s Domestic, Industrial and Agricultural Sectors: An Empirical Analysis. Working paper FNU-67. University of Hamburg: Research Unit Sustainability and Global Change. [[7]]
Collection

Water efficiency

  • Objective
    Technology

    You can use the faucet traditionally but you can also use it to save water: 1. pushes the lever down until it locks : the cold water present in the hot water pipes is quickly directed to an expansion tank. 2. when the hot water reaches the faucet it causes dilation of the thermostatic element that unlocks the lever enabling it to return to the neutral position under the effect of a return spring. 3. the user can lift the lever and have hot water in a conventional manner without wasting any cold water at all.

  • ECOSOFTT's Water SMART Blue Communities and Users platform enables total water sustainability through end-to-end management of the water cycle. The Blue Building Standard is based on 4 overarching principals: Water Source - increase and diversify water sources; Water Use - integrate various water sources for different water use; Water Recycling - collect and recycle wastewater using appropriate technologies, and; Water Discharge - safely discharge excess water for other community needs or into the environment. 

  • Wall timer washer key.

    1.9l

    Automatic closing

    Adjustable Activation Time

    Button with Antibacterial Coating

    Adjustable Closing Time from 5 to 13 sec.

    LEED certification

    Connection: ½ -14 NTP

    Working Pressure: Pmin = 1.0 Kg / cm² (14.22 PSI)

    Pmax = 6.0 Kg / cm² (85.34 PSI)

    Expense: 1.9 lpm (0.5gpm)

  • Lavatory Faucet Single Proximity Electronics Battery Nimbus 1.9

    Operates with 6V Lithium Battery_x000D_

    Includes Setting Kit_x000D_

    Check Valve with Filter_x000D_

    Requires Ground Connection_x000D_

    Includes Spare Grounding Wire_x000D_

    After 12 Seconds, the Water Flow will Automatically_x000D_

    Shutdown and Begin Working After 10 Second

  • Faucet for Hospital, Electronics for Wall Lavatory of Batteries.

    Operates with 6V Lithium Battery

    Includes Setting Kit

    Check Valve with Filter

    Includes Setting Kit for Stainless Steel Lavatory

    Swivel Spout

    Features Infrared Sensor

    12 s Time Tolerance 20% ±

  • Green Logik offers turnkey solutions  to improve resource efficiency over the long term, providing products and services in the following areas: 

    - Energy Efficiency Assessments 

    - Carbon Footprint Assessments 

    - Energy Management Systems

    - Consulting (ISO 50001)  

    - Water Footprint Assessments

    - Energy Efficiency

    - Renewable Energy Project Development

  • Flushometer - Water saving device.

    LEED certification.

    Savings: Conventional flushometers discharge 2 to 3 liters per discharge and this product discharges maximum 0.5 liters.

    Flushometer for urinal apparent pedal and

    top spud inlet for 3/4"

    Discharge of 0,15 gallons per flush

    Material: Brass

    Supply connection: 1-11,5 NPT

    Discharge connection: 3/4 - 14 NPSM

    Pmin. = 14,22 psi

    Pmax.= 85,34 psi

    Water consumption: 0,15 gpf

  • Automatic sprinkler control valve cleaning with body and brass distributor cap, from where the water comes out.

    Consumption less than or equal to 3.8 liters per minute of low pressure and maximum consumption of 10 liters per minute in medium and high pressure

    LEED Certified.

    Material: BRASS.

    Working Pressure:

    Pmin.=2,84 PSI

    Pmax.=85,34 PSI

    Maximum Consumption: 2,11 gpm

  • Miura shower and arm.

    Hydraulic device that once installed supplies water for body cleaning.

    The rule  for fixed showers is that the minimum limit is 4 liters/min at low pressure and this product at that pressure discharges 3.52 liters/min and at most does not exceed 10 liters/min, which grants the ecological degree.

    NOM certification

  • UVAL offers a solution to the current electricity supply crisis in South Africa by offering its BackOn suite of residential, SME and enterprise solutions combining power back up and solar solutions (Personal Power Station) with bespoke energy efficiency packages.

    Effi-Gen Managed Utility Solutions

    Effi-Gen offers a 1 + 1 = 3 Approach: Reduce utility demand + Control utility supply = Resulting in lower utilities cost (1), higher operational reliability (2) and increased financial predictability (3) for years to come