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For the past five years the conservation community has fought to preserve and protect federally enacted efficiency standards. Those seeking to repeal these standards have relied upon libertarian slogans and anecdotal evidence of water wastage, customer dissatisfaction, and inconvenience. To counter these charges conservationists have relied upon several studies that have documented the impact of ultra-low-flush (ULF) toilets, low-flow (LF) showerheads and faucets, and high efficiency clothes washers. But until recently no studies were designed specifically to measure actual water savings and customer satisfaction with these products. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in conjunction with the East Bay Municipal Water Utility District, Seattle Public Utilities, and Tampa Water has sponsored a series of three residential retrofit studies that evaluate the performance of existing fixtures and new high efficiency fixtures in the residential setting. This paper presents the results of the extensive residential retrofit of 35 single-family homes in the East Bay Municipal Water Utility District (EBMUD), based in Oakland, California. The EBMUD Residential Water Conservation Study, conducted by Aquacraft, Inc. during 2001- 2002, took a diverse group of 35 homes and first measured the water use in these homes under current conditions, with standard plumbing fixtures and appliances still in place. The participants also rated the performance of their existing fixtures and appliances. Baseline water use data was obtained from each household using Aquacraft's flow trace analysis technology and historic billing data. Next, each home was completely retrofit with new appliances and fixtures including the latest generation of ULF toilets, high efficiency clothes washers (both front and top loading), LF showerheads and faucets. Post-retrofit water use data were obtained shortly after the retrofit and again six months later. Results from the first post-retrofit data collection effort are presented here. After living with these retrofit fixtures and appliances for six months the participants will rate their performance using exactly as they did their old equipment. The results of the EBMUD Residential Water Conservation Study provide direct measurements of the impact of each make and model of toilet and clothes washer along with satisfaction ratings that can be compared against old equipment. The findings from the EBMUD study were compared against similar results obtained from a sample of 37 homes in Seattle, Washington. The EBMUD Residential Water Conservation Study is the second of three important research efforts that seek to measure to impacts of high efficiency fixtures in actual residential settings. These studies will provide the best available information on the water use of ULF toilets, high efficiency clothes washers, LF showerheads, and LF faucet aerators and customer satisfaction with the products. These studies should go a long way in answering the charges of those seeking to repeal federal efficiency standards. Includes tables, figures.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 01/01/2002 Number of Pages: 11 File Size: 1 file , 230 KB