Faucets

Older conventional faucet flow rates can range from 3.0 to 5.0 gpm.  A leaking faucet dripping one drip per second can waste 36 gallons of water a day.  Federal guidelines mandate that all lavatory and kitchen faucets and replacement aerators manufactured after January 1, 1994, consume no more than 2.2 gpm.  For a public lavatory faucet, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers sets forth a standard of a maximum of 0.5gpm.

Modifications 

Adjust flow valves to the faucet.  Check regularly for leaks.  Use aerators for faucet flow controllers on existing faucets.  Aerators screw onto the faucet head and add air to the water flow while reducing water flow.  They are available at common ratings of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 gpm.  Flow rates as low as 0.5 are adequate for hand wetting purposes in a bathroom setting.  Higher flow rate kitchen aerators deliver water at 2.0 to 2.5 gpm for more general washing purposes.  Aerators cost $5 to $10 installed and typically yield a payback within a few months.  Install flow restrictors. Flow restrictors can be installed in the hot and cold water feed lines to the faucet.  Common flow rate designs include 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 gpm.  Flow restrictors can be used where aerators cannot be used or where there is faucet abuse (aerator removal is problematic).  Flow restrictors can be installed for less the $25 and also yield a payback within months.