WATER CONSERVATION & PRESSURE
The supply of water and energy is one of our most critical national problems. If we cannot increase our supply, then it is imperative to reduce our consumption. Fortunately it’s been proven that we can conserve dramatically and in a manner which will not seriously affect the lifestyles we have become used to. Water and energy conservation are so intimately intertwined that they are practically synonymous. Any reduction in the usage of water will automatically result in a reduction of the use of energy. What this means, therefore, is that our whole philosophy on the use of water is changing and we are finally recognizing that we have been “water rich” over the years and it is now time to get back to reality by adjusting to our actual needs and to practice good conservation principles.
With water and energy conservation, through the use of water pressure reducing valves such as the Water Valve is not only in the national interest but provides a significant benefit to the Industrial and Commercial industry along with all homeowners.
What is water pressure?
When a fixture in a business or home is opened and water flows from it, it is because the water is “pushed.” This “push” is pressure. The speed at which water flows from the opened outlet depends on the amount of “push” or pressure which exists at that time in the system. In short, the higher the pressure, the stronger the “push” behind the water.
What is wrong with high water pressure?
High water pressure, which is generally considered anything above 60 lbs., has some advantage, such as in firefighting systems. However, in the business or home plumbing
system, it can be damaging because water, with a strong “push” behind it, can erode or wear away many materials and cause water heaters to leak, banging water pipes, dripping faucets, excessive dishwasher and clothes washer noise and breakdown, and leaking water pipes. Therefore, water flowing at a rate in excess of that necessary to satisfy normal fixture or appliance demands becomes damaging, wasteful and reduces the life expectancy of equipment in the system. But, most important to the average business or homeowner is that high water pressure can add to the cost of water, energy and waste water bills.
The difference in water flow from a fixture when the pressure is at 100 psi vs. a pressure of 50 psi? Reducing the pressure from 100 psi to 50 psi will result in a saving of approximately 1/3 because 1/3 less water flows at this lower pressure. Remember, there is more “push” behind the water at 100 psi than at 50 psi and most of this water is wasted. A moderate savings would result if your supply pressure was reduced to 65 psi However, even at this lower pressure,
savings would be 20%.
How do these savings benefit the water and energy utilities?
A high rise office building in Chicago was designed using water conservation products which resulted in savings of more than 3,000,000 gallons of water per year. This is significant in that the municipal water utility did not have to pump that extra gallonage, the water purification plant didn’t have to treat it, the building itself saved on pumping of 3,000,000 gallons, and there must have been significant savings in energy by conserving hot water. Also, there were further savings by the fact that 3,000,000 gallons of water, or the normal portion thereof, did not have to be distributed to the wastewater system and consequently the water treatment plant did not have to retreat this water. The heating of water takes energy and it should also be remembered that “pumping” water from one place to another also requires a considerable amount of energy.