Discover effective and affordable water efficiency strategies to achieve LEED certification, such as installing new flush valves or flow restrictors. Learn how these simple upgrades can help conserve water and meet LEED requirements.
Table of Contents
Question
Which is an example of a low-cost Water Efficiency strategy?
A. Install new flush valves or flow restrictors
B. Install subsurface cisterns to collect stormwater
C. Use only compostable toilets throughout the facility
D. Incorporate an on-site blackwater treatment system
Answer
A. Install new flush valves or flow restrictors
Explanation
Installing new flush valves or flow restrictors is a low-cost strategy to improve water efficiency. These devices reduce the amount of water used in each flush or flow, leading to significant water savings over time. Other strategies like installing subsurface cisterns to collect stormwater, using only compostable toilets throughout the facility, or incorporating an on-site blackwater treatment system can also improve water efficiency, but they typically involve higher upfront costs.
Installing new flush valves or flow restrictors is considered a low-cost water efficiency strategy for several reasons:
- Ease of installation: Flush valves and flow restrictors can be easily installed on existing plumbing fixtures, such as toilets and faucets, without requiring major renovations or modifications to the plumbing system.
- Relatively inexpensive: Compared to other water efficiency measures like subsurface cisterns or on-site blackwater treatment systems, flush valves and flow restrictors are relatively inexpensive to purchase and install.
- Immediate water savings: Once installed, these devices immediately reduce water consumption by limiting the flow rate or volume of water used per flush or per minute, resulting in instant water savings.
- Minimal maintenance: Flush valves and flow restrictors require minimal maintenance over their lifespan, making them a cost-effective solution for long-term water efficiency.
In contrast, the other options listed (subsurface cisterns, compostable toilets, and on-site blackwater treatment systems) are more complex and costly to implement, often requiring significant upfront investments, extensive planning, and ongoing maintenance.
By installing new flush valves or flow restrictors, a project can demonstrate a commitment to water efficiency and earn points towards LEED certification without incurring substantial costs or undertaking major construction projects.
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