Interesting document Re: water efficiency

[kirk280980]

Hi all,

While searching the net for info on a few machines I've been considering, and giving myself a severe case of analysis paralysis into the bargain, I found this document on the Waterwise website and thought it may be of interest to other members. It primarily relates to machines sold in the UK, but the info may also be valid for equivalent models sold in other countries too. Being dated November 2006, some models listed are shortly about to be superseded, but for the most part it's pretty much up to date.

The first chart ranks 200+ washers for water efficiency (in terms of litres used per kilo of capacity), with the most efficient at the top of the list. The greedier machines are nearer the bottom.

Scroll down a wee bit further, and there is a second chart with the same information, only with models sorted into groups according to capacity. Again, most efficient at the top of each band, followed by the thirstiest.

Enjoy!

Kirk

http://www.waterwise.org.uk/images/site/Documents/complete%20wm%20document%2C%20nov%202006.pdf

 

[decodriveboy]

The thirstier

the better, I say!

 

[rp2813]

When I checked out the power and water web sites to see what kind of rebates my new full size Duet washer would qualify for, I wasn't disappointed when I found that my washer wasn't efficient enough to net me the biggest rebate. Apparently the latest model FL machines (including Duets) use even less water than my first generation Duet. As it is, my machine uses very little water. Where my big Amana TL would spin out enough water to fill my entire laundry sink (always a good indicator that it's time to call out the $15 Sewer & Drain guy) the Duet barely manages to cover the bottom of the sink with water. When I've run the machine on the rinse & drain only cycle, it appears there's a gallon or more of water sloshing around in there. I can't imagine a washer that used even less water doing a very good job but even with the little water my Duet uses, my laundry is coming out cleaner and without any residual detergent smell. I've seen posts here lamenting a FL machine that doesn't fill with water halfway up the window and I agree that would be more fun to watch in action, but my Duet seems to be doing a decent job using way less.

 

[maytagbear]

Potable water may well

become a serious, serious issue in the next 100 years.

There was a UN report released this week (yesterday?) stating that there may be wars over potable water.
From what I remember of the report, shortages in the developed world should not be exceedingly severe, but in developing countries, water shortages could be more severe than they are now.

So, for me, at least, I'm trying to think through my water use. I just bought a nice covered jug for the refrigerator, instead of running the faucet to get cool water to drink.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[spinout]

potable water

"....stating that there may be wars over potable water."

Yea, and in the US it's already happening. These wars do and will exist between [land] developers and politicians over the use of the water that we are saving for them.

This is no joke: here in southern California, water conservation was/is being pushed by developers that are facing building moratoriums due to a shortage of fresh water.

Seems to me that they're missing the point...

 

[tomturbomatic]

And the sad thing in the "developing countries" AKA the turd world, is that religious (often medical) missionaries (made famous by their position) went in and supplied all sorts of food, medicines and vaccines that kept many people alive (except for the ones that they said the Jews made to give everyone AIDS; honestly, this is still said). These numbers kept alive were far and above the number that would have been lost to disease and animals eating them and drowning etc. The missionaries neglected to discuss such an embarrassing topic as birth control so the population has swelled to far beyond what the land can support. Sadly, what the land can support is not even a constant because the land is in a state of being degraded and more and more of it is becoming desert. So do you keep pumping more and more food and water into a situation where it is all consumed faster than it can be delivered?

 

[sudsmaster]

There were water wars in California... back when LA was stealing the water from the Mono Lake area, early 20th century...

With all due respect though, keeping drinking water in a jug in the fridge is fine but it is more or less a drop in the bucket when it comes to ways to conserve. Watering the lawn is probably #1, maybe tied with toilet flushing, followed by bath/showering, laundry, etc. Water used for cooking/drinking is probably way down on the list. But you gotta start somewhere.

 

[maytagbear]

I don't have a lawn, being a renter.

I have a low-flush toilet, I try never to go over five minutes in the shower (7 when I shampoo). I always use the water level control when I don't have a tubful of clothes (whites, for example.) I only do mini-Bobloads in my dishwasher (full, but not jammed.)

Consumeer Reports (I know, some of their stuff is off-the-wall, but most is excellent) has said that using a good modern dishwasher saves water over washing by hand.

A refrigerator jug was just logical progression.

If I owned, and could do this, I would have a urinal installed.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[gr-wash]

I told my wife I wanted to install a urinal when we built our house. Of course she rejected the idea and said I only asked for it as a bargaining chip for something else.

Anyways, if your going for a urinal, why not go waterless?

http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/detail.jsp?from=thumb&frm=null&module=Commercial+Urinals&item=10453302&prod_num=4918&section=2&category=30

 

[toggleswitch]

Cogeneration is the key!

I still say use the waste heat that is normally wastefully dispersed into the universe at electricity generating facilitites to steam-distill (salt) water.
Better yet burn garbage, disposing of it. Use the energy to generate electricity, and use the waste heat to purify water.
3/4 of the earth's surface is water. Why are we still depending on rainfall as our only water supply?
Yes; water, like everything else, costs money!
Here is another key word: SOLAR ENERGY! heat and electricity derived from the sun. Unfortunately there is no billable monthly, recurring charges in it for big business, so we may never see it happen on a large scale until the cost of energy forces everyone to do so.

 

[toggleswitch]

I heard that Tucson, Arizona relclaims water from the sewage system, purifies it, and uses the cleaned-up "gray water" in certain applications, like watering golf courses and public flower beds, etc.

Perhaps a resident can tell us in better detail what they actually do.

 

[lederstiefel1]

Water problems

The problem with the water is only a regional problem! Here in the area in Germany where I live it is said that we will have even more rain throughout the year in spring and autumn than we have momentarily due to the global warming causing more vaporesence from the oceans.
Here in some areas the town councils have even to flush the waste-water canals in towns with potable water because of the dramatical reduction of used tap-water to avoid conglomerations of fast residues from toilets and streets!
We have enough water here and further reduction of the use of tap-water will also provoke a drop in quality. Water in pipes will become "old" as any other "food" that is stored for too long! And not even one person in the third world will have a drop more drinking water if I use a liter less here in Germany! This is bull-shit! The problem we have is ONLY the abnormal use of energy on this planet linked with an utterly devastating process of its production! This is warming up the planet and a shortage of water is only one of the problems resulting from it! But remember my prediction well still in thirty years: we will long for the time of the millenium when the world was still "in order"! Heavy storms, floods and draught will be current state in this time and people will dream of the past and tell stories to their grand-children of the time of the great energy-waste when everything seemed to be possible!!
Of course I'm not wasting water myself (mostly using my twin-tubs to keep the warm suds) and hope to find a house where I can install solar-panels for warm water and may-be electricity. Also I'm missing the opportunity of having a wood-stove to heat the house with instead of gas and oil!

Ralf

 

[kirk280980]

Toggle,

Perhaps the water reclaim scheme in Arizona is similar to this one used at Mawson Lakes, South Australia?

http://www.sawater.com.au/SAWater/YourHome/MawsonLakesResidents/

 

[toggleswitch]

 

[jamiel]

Awwwright, I'm just not getting it. Waterless urinal...sealing liquid (must be mineral oil...can't figure out what else it might be). How does it stay clean? I can't believe it wouldn't smell. I recall seeing a waterless urinal at the Carter Center in Atlanta and not understanding it either, but Kohler I certainly trust.

 

[launderess]

Last week the New York Times did an article on "waterless" loo's and some of the famous/upscale persons who have them. Apparently they are the rage amoung eco-friendly persons with lots of lolly.

Now lookee here: am about as keen to save the environment as the next person, but having basically a porta-loo indoors is O-W-U-T, out.

L.