Stylish bathroom fixtures also cut water use

Editor’s note: The following item is republished with permission of houzz.com. See the original article: Green and Clean: Sleek Water-Wise Bathroom Fixtures.

By MICHELLE JERESEK

Sure, we’re called the "water planet," but remarkably little of the blue stuff — less than one percent — is available to us as potential drinking water. The rest is tied up in saltwater, ice caps and other difficult-to-access sources. That scarcity isn’t obvious to most of us in the industrialized world, where water is cheap and easy to find, but there are a billion others who aren’t as lucky. And our time of easy water may be waning too, with the U.S. Government Accountability Office predicting water shortages in 36 states by 2013.

Being water-wise can cut your utility bills, reduce the need for costly investments in water treatment and delivery systems, and contribute to a more sustainable water future. The bathroom is the place to start since it’s the water hog in our homes, accounting for more than half of the indoor water we use. Check out these water-wise plumbing fixtures that don’t compromise style or function.

Photo credit: Garret Cord Werner

To find water-wise fixtures, look for the WaterSense label. WaterSense, a partnership program with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is an independent organization that reviews (among many other jobs) plumbing fixtures for water efficiency. Their certification, or approval, is given to fixtures that are at least 20 percent more efficient without compromising performance. The average bathroom makeover with WaterSense fixtures saves 7,000 gallons of water a year. That’s enough water to wash six months worth of laundry.

Bathroom faucets

Getting a faucet with the WaterSense can reduce your sink’s water flow by up to 30 percent. Doing so will save the average home 500 gallons of water annually. You can also add an aerator to bathroom taps. An aerator decreases water flow while maintaining or even increasing water pressure by mixing water with air.

And regardless of how much water comes out of your tap, don’t forget to turn off the faucet while shaving or brushing teeth.

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