Saving Water

Decreasing precipitation and rising populations are causing water shortages in the western United States, as well as in states not historically prone to dry weather. On top of all that, the rising cost of water is reflected in your utility bills, adding another challenge to making ends meet.

To help save water in response to environmental and family budget concerns, the members of Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) are committed to improving water efficiency and sustainability by manufacturing WaterSense and other water-efficient products that meet high performance standards and gain strong consumer satisfaction.

A program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), WaterSense certifies and promotes products that meet water-efficiency and performance criteria. PMI and many of its members are WaterSense program partners – organizations recognized by the EPA for promoting the value of water efficiency and WaterSense products.

PMI-supported water-efficiency studies show that many homes and businesses still have older plumbing that uses water inefficiently. As part of PMI’s Rethink Water initiative, PMI’s legacy product replacement project encourages replacing these legacy fixtures with water-efficient toilets, faucets and showerheads can save billions of gallons of water across the nation each year. These water-efficient products lower utility bills, reduce the strain on septic systems, and can often be purchased at discounted prices. Learn more about rebates, take advantage of our water-saving tips, and read about how restoring our aging underground water infrastructure can help to avert water shortages.

Saving water through water efficiency

Water-efficient plumbing products, such as those bearing the WaterSense label, save water by using water resources responsibly. Since the Energy Policy Act was implemented in 1994, all plumbing products sold in the United States must meet water-efficiency standards. These standards now are a maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) for residential toilets, 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm) for residential kitchen and bathroom faucets, and 2.5 gpm for showerheads.

To meet WaterSense criteria, products must be certified to be at least 20% more water efficient than products meeting these federal water-efficiency standards. PMI strongly encourages the purchase and installation of WaterSense toilets, showerheads, faucets, urinals, and other products, which have saved more than 4.4 trillion gallons of water in the past decade. Learn more about how much water you can save by reading this “WaterSense is Common Sense” fact sheet.

While making products more water efficient, plumbing manufacturers have made technical innovations that have increased their performance, gaining high consumer satisfaction ratings. For example, using advanced hydraulic modeling techniques, engineers have literally changed the way water moves through the channels of a toilet to eliminate waste. Newer finishes fired into the chinaware give more power to less water, improving bowl-cleansing ability over older toilets that may have used twice as much water.

Water-efficient plumbing products reduce costs

The use of water-efficient plumbing products can lower your water bill by using less water. In addition, these products will reduce energy usage, since energy is required to treat and transport water. WaterSense products have saved more than $135 billion in water and energy expenses over the past decade.

Even where water is not scarce, water-efficient plumbing products help consumers and communities reduce the strain on their aging infrastructures. The expanded use of water-efficient plumbing products can delay or even eliminate the need for developing new or expanded municipal water systems and wastewater-treatment facilities, saving consumers and taxpayers millions of dollars. Conservation goals are met, and environmental quality is further safeguarded – all at no additional cost.