California
on Wednesday moved to tighten already stringent regulations on how much water
can flow through toilets and faucets, part of the state's effort to respond to
prolonged drought.
The
regulations passed by the California Energy Commission come on the heels of
action on Tuesday to propose a framework for California's first-ever mandatory
cutbacks in water use as the drought enters its fourth year.
“In the face
of California’s current drought, we must use water as efficiently as
possible," said Commissioner Andrew McAllister. "Updating minimum
standards for toilets, urinals and faucets is a step in that direction.”
Under the
rules, which go into effect in 2016, the flow through new kitchen faucets sold
in the state would drop slightly, to 1.8 gallons (6.8 liters) per minute from
the current standard of 2.2 gallons (8.3 l) per minute. They would be allowed
to temporarily go up to 2.2 gallons, however, "momentarily for filling
pots and pans," the Commission said in a news release.
Bathroom
faucets would be further restrained to 1.2 gallons (4.5 l) a minute from 2.2
gallons.
The
commission also codified a restriction on toilet flow passed by the legislature
in 2007, requiring use of no more than 1.28 gallons (4.8 l) per flush.
The
regulations would require new urinals sold in the state to process just 0.125
gallons (0.5 l) per flush.
California
water regulators on Tuesday released a framework for enforcing a statewide 25
percent reduction in water use before the hot, dry summer season begins.
Communities
that have not made progress on conservation since voluntary restrictions went
into place last year, including many where residents' use is not measured by
water meters may be forced to conserve as much as 35 percent over the amount
they used in 2013.
source: reuters
BY SHARON BERNSTEIN
http//www.thisoldtoilet.com
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