The amount of water available for use on the planet is finite, so as the population grows, the available supply of water per person decreases. Many parts of the world are now experiencing rising water costs, seasonal water shortages, and unpredictable quality and availability of supplies. Efficiency and conservation in institutional, commercial, industrial and residential water use can result in impressive savings of both water and money.

Indoor water conservation products that meet or exceed code requirements are readily available locally and by mail order. Some studies have indicated that there is not a direct relationship between the price of a water-conserving fixture and its ability to provide good service. Therefore, do not use price as a benchmark for quality or performance.

It is important to choose products that have standardized replaceable components for best long-term performance. New products are being introduced continuously, so review independent research, such as Consumer Reports, for updates on their performance.

Careful selection of appliances can save large quantities of water. Different models of washing machines and dishwashers vary greatly in the quantity of water needed. Austin Energy Green Building recommends horizontal-axis washing machines and water conserving dishwashers. (See the Energy Efficient Appliances section in this Sourcebook .)

Devices that divert and capture water that is normally lost while waiting for it to heat up can be useful if there are long pipe runs from water heaters. However, it is best to minimize such long pipe runs through careful planning in the plumbing layout. This saves materials as well as water.

Personal water use habits have the greatest influence on the effectiveness of water conserving fixtures and appliances.

Highly conserving fixtures do not affect installation except for air-assisted or composting toilets. Infrared sensor-operated faucets are available, but costly for home use.

Approximately 8,000 gallons per household each year are lost while waiting for hot water to come from the tap, so placing the water heater as close as possible to the point(s) of use for hot water will conserve water. Some devices are available to divert the water while waiting for it to heat. The diverted water can be used for toilet flushing or outdoors. Point-of-use water heaters reduce water loss, as do recirculating pumps that keep hot water on tap. A hot water demand system that supplies instant hot water through an electronically controlled pump in a recirculating loop also conserves water. Strategic placement of the water heater is the most cost- and energy-effective approach.

Toilets with a lower flush option for fluids and a standard flush option for solids are available. Retrofit devices of this type are also becoming available. Check performance reviews by consumer testing groups and ANSI test information for the most reliable products. Premature or non-detected product failure can quickly counter effect water conservation.

See "Plumbing Contractors" in the Yellow Pages

See "Plumbing Fixtures, Parts, Supplies - Retail, Wholesale & Mfrs." and "Building Materials - Retail" in Yellow Pages

ACT Inc. Metlund Systems
3176 Pullman St., Ste. 119
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
800-METLUND
www.metlund.com
"D'mand System" demand recirculating system

Bricor Analytical Inc.
5210 Champagne Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80919-3536
(719) 522-0442
(800) 661-4348, access code 12
Fax: (719) 522-1668
www.bricor.com
Vacuum flow restriction valves reduce flow rate to 1.5 gpm or 1.1 gpm, works with any showerhead

Doucette Industries
701 Grantley Rd.
York, PA 17403
(800) 445-7511
www.endlessshower.com
GFX drainwater heat recovery system

Duravit USA, Inc.
1750 Breckinridge Pkwy., Ste. 500
Duluth, GA 30096
(888) 387-2848
www.duravit.com
Commercial "waterless" urinal

Ecos
50 Beharrell St.
Concord, MA 01742
(978) 369-3951,
www.ecological-engineering.com
Ultra-low-flow toilets, showerheads

Falcon Waterfree Technologies
10900 Wilshire Blvd., 15 th floor
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 209-7250
www.falconwaterfree.com
Commercial "waterless" urinal

HWS Ltd.
1122 S. Wilson Way #6
Stockton, CA 95025
(800) 914-9887
"Chilipepper 3000" demand recirculating system

Mister Miser Urinal
4901 N. 12 th St.
Quincy, IL 62301
(888) 228-6900
www.adams.net
10 ounces per flush urinal

Waterless Company LLC
1223 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
888-NOFLUSH
www.waterless.com
Commercial "waterless" urinal

City of Austin Water Conservation Program
P.O. Box 1088
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 499-2199,
www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon

WaterWiser
(800) 559-9855
www.waterwiser.org
Water efficiency clearinghouse by EPA and AWWA (American Water Works Association)