LGA Studios learned more about the reasons and methods for water conservation from Matt Bakken, at a USGBC Colorado educational session. Some key points:

• Increased water efficiency will be required by both global shortages and impending codes.

• Watersense is a voluntary program sponsored by the US EPA, which promotes a cap on the flow of household plumbing devices like shower heads and toilets. You can purchase Watersense certified products for your home to save water.

• The presentation was created by Kohler, so their high-efficiency urinal (offering 80% water savings compared to standard 1.0-gpf urinals) was used as an innovative example of a solution to water overuse. Southern Methodist University installed these urinals, and saw 8.1 million gallons of annual water savings. That came out to a cost reduction of $102 per urinal!

• On a related note, Kohler also produces cast iron sinks, baths, and shower bases made from 93% recycled material; yet unlike with recycled paper, the sinks look completely fresh. Follow this link for more information.