PHILADELPHIA — In a list of water conservation tips in a September 10 press release, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urged consumers: “Avoid using the garbage disposal or water softener which requires lots of water.”
The wording of the release appears to raise questions only about less-water-efficient softeners, but EPA officials could not be reached immediately to comment on whether the wording could be interpreted by some consumers to mean that all softeners should be avoided in order to save water.
Water Quality Association (WQA) Technical Director Joseph Harrison told WaterTech Online™ on September 11 that while water softeners do use a weekly average of 50 gallons of water during their regeneration cycle, they save water in the long run. He said softer water makes cleaning quicker, easier and more effective, thereby reducing the amount of water needed for each cleaning task.
Because they reduce mineral-scale buildup that makes water-heater elements less efficient, Harrison added, water softeners also help reduce the cost of heating water, thus reducing energy use.
Other recommendations made by the EPA include using a displacement device in toilet tanks to reduce gallons-per-flush, reducing the size of shower heads and keeping up on all plumbing repairs, according to the release.
To view the full press release, click here.
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