The Day the Water Stopped in Orme, Tennessee

The water ran out for the 148 residents of Orme, TN in the summer of 2007. Water was trucked in daily, but it was only enough for three hours of average home use every day. Members of Plumbing Manufacturers International volunteered replacements of high efficiency toilets (HETs) and faucets in a weekend campaign called "Race to Save the Water" in October 2007.

The Race to Save the Water resulted in at least 45% greater water efficiencies for Orme—or six hours of average home use every day without sacrificing perfomance.

The 1st Major Goal of the Race was to increase the amount of water use time by one hour giving the residents four hours per day instead of three. This was to be obtained utilizing new technology to save at least 90 gallons of water per day per resident and stop unnecessary leaks

The 2nd Major Goal was to deliver quality of life plumbing fixtures using new water saving technologies. In addition these durable products would require no lifestyle changes and maintain superior performance compared to the older plumbing fixtures being removed.

The 3rd Major Goal was to show all of America and City Utilities that these change outs can be installed in any home or business that has: 1. a toilet fixture; 2. a showerhead; 3. a sink fixture. The change outs can be done in a few hours time, be maintained for the life of the fixture (sustainable savings) and pay back big savings in real money to the consumer and the environment.

• Population: 143
• SF Population: 143
• SF Units: 43
• SF Household Size: 3.3
• No. Toilets & Toilet Leaks per SF Unit: 1.9
• No. of Kit/Sinks per SF Unit: 3.2
• No. of Showerheads per SF Unit: 1.6
• Toilets Replaced: 80
• Fill Valves Replaced: 80
• Showerheads Replaced: 67
• Aerators or Sinks Replaced: 139

• 12 Toilets removed
  • 1. Volume 4.12 per flush
  • 2. Leaks 100 gallons per fixture a day per toilet
• 12 Showerheads removed
  • 1. Volume 3.7 gallons per minute
  • 2. Leaks per fixture .5 gallons per day
• 12 Aereators removed
  • 1. Volume 3.1 gallons per minute
  • 2. Leaks per fixture .25 gallons per day

• Each resident uses the toilet - 5 times daily (AWWA)
• Each SFR uses the sink or faucet 20 minutes daily (AWWA)
• Each resident uses the shower for 7.5 minutes daily (AWWA)
• We will keep outdoor watering constant.
• The before should be about 10,000 gallons a month per SFR + Outdoor
• The after should be about 5,500 gallons a month + Outdoor

Cost of Water per 1000 Gal $3.25

Cost of Water per 1000 Gal $3.25

Cost of Water per 1000 Gal $3.25

Brand new Fill-O-Meter Technology is a metered Fill valve design by H2O Guard. What the new valve does is replace the 100 year old Float Technology fill valves used in gravity fed toilets today. With Meter Valves the end of the running toilet and overflowing toilets will be a thing of the past the main advantages to the meter controlled vs. old Style Float operated fill valves are:

• Positive turn off will prevent overflows and the possibility of a catastrophic leak outside the toilet.
• Tamer resident water control design that measures exactly the amount of water necessary to meet toilet volume designs, and will maintain toilet fixture flush settings after initial repairs.
• Stops Internal water flows... Leaks "Then End of the Running Toilet"

Delta Water-Efficient Showerhead with H20kinetic® Technology 
This showerhead, designed by Delta, uses 36% less water (It operates at a 1.6 gpm flow rate vs. 2.5 standard gpm) while delivering a comparable, some even say superior, experience to a traditional shower. Less hot water consumed means energy saved. The H2Okinetic Water-Efficient showerhead also delivers larger droplets in an oscillating pattern that provides greater coverage and keeps the water warmer longer.

Delta model 500 with water-efficient aerator 
Using different technology, Delta incorporated water efficient outlets in its bath faucets that use 32% less water (1.5 gpm vs. 2.2 gpm). At standard water pressures these faucets deliver the same perceived volume and performance as higher flow lavatory faucets. Homeowners won’t sacrifice utility for water savings.


Gerber has a long history (more than 75 years) of performance plumbing products AND community service. Personal relationships have always been a core value of Gerber, and the company's commitment in the Save the Water Race is proof that it still matters.

Gerber is proud to help with this water conservation event through products that actually work. The Gerber Viper 1.6gpf Toilet is a proven top-performing product. With more than 200,000 installed to date, it virtually eliminates the need to flush twice "Saves the Second Flush." The elongated comfort height toilet was paired with a BEMIS toilet seat that is made of recycled materials. The Orme environment was the perfect opportunity to put these Gerber professional grade products to the test while helping a community in desperate need. The elongated comfort height toilet was paired with a BEMIS toilet seat made of recycled materials.


Xcite Hinge 100% recycled materials toilet seats.

Connectors and quarter-turn, durable shut-off wall stops were selected to connect all of the new fixtures and faucets, Brass Craft product were the specified choice of H2O Guard.

• To promote the water efficiency, health, safety and quality of plumbing products while maximizing consumer choice and value in a fair and open marketplace.
• To provide a forum for the exchange of information and industry education.
• To represent the members' interests in the regulatory/legislative processes.
• To enhance the plumbing industry's growth and expansion.