Running Head: Introduction to Environmental Science: Investigation 6

Introduction to Environmental Science:

Investigation 6
U49701984
University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee

Introduction to Environmental Science: Investigation 6

Water is used and wasted daily in numerous ways. Humans need to do more than simply
checking to see if the faucet is turned all the way off or that the toilet doesnt continue to run
after flushing to conserve water. Withgott and Laposata (2014) stated, Another approach is to
embrace technologies that improve efficiency in water use (p. 233). There are various actions
that a homeowner can take to conserve more water and benefit the environment.
Water efficient toilets use less water to flush. Water efficient shower heads use less
water for showering. There are many other water efficient fixtures and appliances that can
drastically reduce the water usage within a home. A home that can significantly reduce annual
water bill costs can also reap a financial benefit as well. For every dollar saved on annual utility
bills, 20 dollars of property value is added to the home. This increase in property value, along
with money saved from water usage spending, can repay for the investment of upgrading to these
water efficient devices throughout the residence. Mayor et al. (1999) stated, Adding this
measurement to the savings implied by the ULT-only coefficient suggests total average savings
from complete toilet retrofit of about 9 gallons per capita per day (p. 15). Nine gallons might
not sound like much. However, the accumulation of the conserved water over a period of time is
where it makes a significant difference. With an average of nine gallons a day, that adds to 3,285
gallons a year. As more homeowners add features like this, the amount of conserved water really
adds up. Even if only 100 homes within a community upgraded their toilet, the combined water
saved could be 328,500 gallons annually.
Similar savings in water use can be made with other features such as water efficient
shower heads, washing machines, and other appliances. These other water efficient features can
save even more water than the water efficient toilet. According to Inman and Jeffrey (2006),
The data indicates that retrofit programs can reduce indoor water consumption by between 9

Introduction to Environmental Science: Investigation 6

12% whilst comprehensive replacement of household appliances with more highly efficient
appliances can reduce indoor water consumption by between 35 50% (p. 131). Lee, Tansel,
and Balbin (2011) stated, Water savings for water use efficiency measures were about 28
(10.9%), 34.7 (13.3%) and 39.7 (14.5%) gallons per household per day for the showerhead,
toilet, and clothes washer programs; respectively. Adoption of more than one type of water
efficiency appliance contributed to additional saving in residential water use (p. 1). According
to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (2016), The average household spends as
much as $500 per year on their water and sewer bill and can save about $170 per year by
installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances (epa.gov). If an American homeowner spends
the average $500 annually on their water bill, can potentially save approximately $250 annually
by upgrading to these water efficient features. Over the course of 20 years, that adds to a savings
of $5,000. In addition to the savings, the property value could increase by another $5,000 with
the 20-dollar increase per every dollar saved in annual water bill.
Water is our most vital natural resource. As the world population increases, the demand
of water is also increasing as the supply is decreasing. There are various actions that a
homeowner can take to conserve more water and benefit the environment.

Introduction to Environmental Science: Investigation 6

Works Cited:
Withgott, J., Laposata, M. (2014). Environment: the science behind the stories (5th ed.).
Glenview, IL: Pearson Education, Inc.
Mayer, P. W., DeOreo, W. B., Opitz, E. M., Kiefer, J. C., Davis, W. Y., Dziegielewski, B., &
Nelson, J. O. (1999). Residential end uses of water. Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/chris/
Downloads/Residential%20end%20uses_of%20water.pdf
Inman, D., & Jeffrey, P. (2006). A review of residential water conservation tool performance and
influences on implementation effectiveness. Urban Water Journal, 3(3). 127-143.
Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/doi/abs/10.1080/157306
20600961288
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2016). Water sense. Retrieved from
https://www3.epa.gov/watersense/about_us/facts.html
Lee, M., Tansel, B., & Balbin, M. (2011). Influence of residential water use efficiency measures
on household water demand: A four-year longitudinal study. Resources, Conservation
and Recycling, 56(1). 1-6. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.lib.usf.
edu/science/article/pii/S0921344911001674