NJ WATERSAVERS

Retrofits to Public Schools

Background

Schools use a large amount of water every day.  Similar to other public buildings, they require water for heating and cooling systems, restrooms, water fountains, locker rooms, utility rooms, cafeterias, laboratories, and outdoor playing fields and lawns.  In 1994 the Energy Policy Act established water conserving guidelines for all plumbing fixtures and appliances to be sold in the United States.  Over time, this has helped reduce the overall amount of water used indoors in the typical American household.  However, there are many outdated fixtures and appliances in our public buildings. 

Conducting a Water Audit

  • Start with an inventory of the building’s plumbing system.  Walk through the entire building with someone who is familiar with the location. 

    • Use a simple data collection form that you use, recording all water-using fixtures, appliances, and equipment.  Document the brand, model, and water usage (flush volume or flow rate).   

    • Make a list of repairs that are needed right away. Record all leaks.  If it is possible, quantify the volume of the leak in gallons per minute or per hour.

    • Organize the data by creating summary tables, graphs, or charts.

  • Review “As-Built” drawings (this should include pipe sizes and layout for water and sewer plumbing).  Note the location of the water main, backflow devices, and fixture hook-ups. 

  • Work with your local (city and county) health departments, building-code officials, and water purveyors when considering retrofitting a public building. 

  • Gather and review all water and sewer bills for the past two years.

  • Review all previous water audits, surveys, and or studies for the building. 

Low-cost Retrofit Options for Toilets

There are several water conservation devices for toilets.  For simplicity, the following table identifies the performance characteristics of typical retrofits.

 
Table l: Comparison of Toilet Retrofit Device Performance (Regenstreif, 1996)


Description

Type

Water Savings

Life
Expectancy
(years)

Permanent Installation
Capability

Comments

Displacement devices

Tank dams

Water bags

Containers

Foam Tank
Liners

Low

Low

Low

Low

3-5

1-3

3-5

5

No

No

No

No

1. Plastics will break down in toilet water environment

Early closure devices

Free floating

Flapper & float

Flapper with adjust. Air release

High

High

High

5-7

3-5

3-5

No

No

No

1. May not fit all toilet tanks
2. Flappers must be replaced when they deteriorate
3. Flappers may be replaced with non conserving flappers
4. Can be easily removed

Bowl fill control devices

Bowl fill diverters

Low

3-5

No

1. Usually effective for only 30% of toilets manufactured

User controlled devices

Flapper weights

High

5-7

No

1. Poor user acceptance

Dual flush devices

Fastened floating

Installation kits

High

 

High

15-20

 

7-10

Yes

 

Yes

1. Some difficult to install
2. Poor user acceptance
3. Replacement parts difficult to find
4. Kits considered expensive

Permanently installed early closure devices

Permanent mounted floating

High

20-25

Yes

1. Can be dual flush for maximum savings

Cutting the Costs

Consider utilizing a partnership model that involves cost-sharing or corporate sponsors.  The benefits of cost-sharing or working with a corporate sponsor may result in having a portion of your project subsidized by a grant or a donation.  

A Partnership Model

New Jersey Water Savers partnered with American Standard, a New Jersey based company, to retrofit public buildings.  Fixtures that pre-dated the National Energy Protection Act of 1994 were eligible for replacement.  American Standard donated over $100,000 worth of product to the program.  Donations of 1.28 gallon per flush toilets, pint flush urinals, and 1.5 gallon per minute faucets were installed in Livingston’s Monmouth Court Alternative High School and Community Center, Belmar Elementary School, Jeffrey Clark Elementary School in East Greenwich Township, and Rahway High School. After the retrofits at Rahway High School, there was a press event where American Standard was publicly praised by local officials and the school officials.  American Standard's public relations staff helped bolster the water conservation program as well as encouraged local residents to purchase American Standards products.

Resources:

 

The Partners