Rainwater Cisterns
- What: We collect rainwater from the roof and store it in the two 4,200 gallon tanks above the 1st floor restrooms.
- Why: Stored rainwater is used to flush toilets and water landscaping, so we use 90% less tap water. Reusing rainwater also means less water enters storm drains, decreasing the amount of pollutants (such as oil and trash) that enter our water supply.
- Be Green At Home: Gather rainwater from your roof in a rain barrel and use it to water your lawn or garden. You’ll save money on your utilities by conserving water and reduce the storm water runoff from your property.
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Green Restrooms
- What: Our restrooms reduce water use by using waterless urinals and dual flush toielts!
- Waterless urinals conserve approximately 40,000 gallons of water per year and reduce maintenance costs because there are fewer working parts and less plumbing. Water does not have to be pumped to or from the urinal, which saves energy. Urine is odorless. “Urine odor” happens when urine mixes with air and water, creating ammonia oxide. Once urine is trapped inside the urinal, an airtight seal is created. Since there is also no water, there is less odor.
- Dual flush toilets conserve water in two ways: by using less water for each flush (1.1 gallons for liquid wate and 1.6 gallons for solid waste) and by using rainwater we gather from our rooftop instead of tap water to flush. Optic-sensor faucets turn on when they sense motion and turn off when the motion stops, so its impossible to leave the water running. What about recycled paper towels and high efficiency air dryers? People argue over which is better. Air dryers use less energy and resources to manufacture and to operate than paper towels; however, paper towels may spread fewer germs because there is no heat or air being blown around.
- Why: Used water, called gray water, goes to a water treatment plant and then back into rivers and lakes. Treated water can still contain pollutants that damage the environment. Treatment plants also use energy to operate. Conserving water reduces water pollution and energy use.
- Be Green At Home: Bathrooms use 75% of all water used in the average home. You can use less water by installing low-flow shower heads and aerator nozzles on sinks and limiting shower time. If your toilet was installed before 1992, it probably uses at least 5 gallons per flush. By placing a 2 liter bottle full of water in the tank, you can conserve over 400 gallons per year. If every U.S. household replaced one roll of paper towels with a roll of 100% recycled paper towels, we could save 1.4 million trees, conserve 526 million gallons of water, and prevent 89,400 pounds of pollution.
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