Water Efficiency

Photo: Ospr3yy. License: CC BY-SA 3.0

Water efficiency in buildings requires a set of strategies for reducing water consumption.

Water-saving appliances and fixtures are an inexpensive (often cost-neutral) way to achieve greater efficiency. Rainwater or graywater reuse and even blackwater treatment are ways to push the envelope.

Water Efficiency

Deep Dives

Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.

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  • Commercial Kitchens: Cooking Up Green Opportunities

    Feature

    Commercial kitchens run energy- and water-intensive equipment for long hours, sometimes even when not in use. While the challenges of saving water and energy in commercial kitchens are daunting, they're not insurmountable. Careful equipment selection and a commitment to conscientious kitchen practices can dramatically cut down on waste-and utility bills.

  • Waste Water, Want Water

    Feature

    Options for small-scale, onsite wastewater treatment and reuse are improving-but can we solve a global crisis one building at a time?

  • Innovative Products and Technology from the Greenbuild Expo

    Feature

    Our product editors pick some winners from the expo floor at Greenbuild 2013 while raising questions about some materials.

  • Net-Zero Water and More: Moving Beyond “Low Flow”

    Feature

    These emerging water strategies are finding momentum and filling the need to address efficiency and resilience on multiple scales.

Quick Takes

Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.

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  • Invasive Plants

    Explainer

    In the quest for a balanced ecosystem it is important to choose native species and avoid invasive plants. Invasive species can put a strain on water usage and can take space and resources away from native plants.

  • Combined Sewer Overflow

    Explainer

    Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) occur in municipalities with older wastewater systems that carry both sanitary wastewater and stormwater; eliminating CSOs involves investment in wastewater infrastructure and reducing stormwater flows.

  • The Surprising Connection Between Water Conservation and Deadly Infections

    Explainer

    Legionella and other pathogens can proliferate in pipes and low-flow fixtures, threatening the health of vulnerable people.

  • The Embodied Energy of Tap Water

    Explainer

    A third of the annual energy bill paid by a municipality goes toward water treatment. Here’s why clean water uses so much energy.

Product Guidance

Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.

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  • Showerheads

    Product Guide

    Showerheads that use no more than 1.75 gpm and are WaterSense labeled to address spray force and coverage

  • Zurn Introduces Flood of Water-Conserving Products

    Product Review

    Zurn Plumbing Products Group's new offerings include a 1.1-gpf toilet, a dual-flush toilet, a non-water-using urinal, and a dual-flush flushometer valve.

  • Kohler Highline 1.1-gpf Toilet

    Product Review

    With the help of a remarkably quiet pressure-flush mechanism, Kohler's newest toilet uses only 1.1 gallons of water per flush.

  • New Delta Showerhead Advances State of the Art

    Product Review

    The Delta Faucet Company's newest showerhead delivers a satisfying shower using only 1.6 gallons of water per minute.

In The News

We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.

Perspective

Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.

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Learning Resources

Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.

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Just For Fun

Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...

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