In developing countries, women spend over 25% of their time collecting water — but the Water Wheel from Wello helps women transport up to 5 times more water as compared to traditional methods!
Learn more about the Water Wheel from IAPMO Online!
Images from www.wellowater.org
The Bradley Corporation recently did a survey on public restroom hygiene and reported that people Don’t Want to Touch Things in The Bathroom!
Rinse or wash? Over 2/3 of the respondents admit to rinsing only. Click here to learn more and understand how you compare!
Until recently, as a courtesy to consumers, water utilities, and toilet manufacturers, the MaP listings included all WaterSense®-certified toilet models even if these models had not been fully MaP tested. At one time we identified the MaP Flush Score of these models as “NM†for “Not Measuredâ€; at other times we listed them as “>=350†to indicate that they would flush at least 350g
However, we have received feedback indicating that this designation may be somewhat confusing to consumers and others. As such, we have decided to move the listings for WaterSense®-qualified toilet fixtures that have not been fully MaP tested to a separate list. We trust that this action will eliminate any confusion regarding MaP scores.
Therefore, effective in October 2014, our MaP lists for toilet and urinal fixtures will be separated into these categories:
Maybe painting your lawn green is the solution. See what Dave Barry has to say about lawn painting!
Unlike some other testing organizations, MaP Testing protocols and processes are entirely transparent. Our Version 5 test protocol is not “secret” nor does it use test materials (test media) that have no relationship to the “real” demands upon a toilet fixture. MaP tests use soybean paste and toilet paper as a close replicate of the “real world.”
Click here to learn more about MaP and download the latest testing protocol. And click here to learn about designing the “toilet of the futureâ€!!
Recently, the major energy utilities in California (PG&E, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas, and San Diego Gas and Electric) proposed to the California Energy Commission that the State mandate a minimum MaP flush performance score of 600 grams (21 ounces) on all toilets sold in California. In our opinion, this is a flawed effort to achieve a higher level of water savings. While we laud the intent, we cannot support the proposal because it is based neither on science nor real-world evidence. Increasing the flushing “power†of a toilet simply does not result in additional water savings.
Ontario, Canada continues to be a water efficiency leader in Canada. As of January 1, 2014, the Ontario Building Code (OBC) reduced the maximum flush volume for toilets installed in new residential buildings from 6.0 litres (1.6 gallons) to just 4.8 litres (1.28 gallons) – a flush volume that is in line with WaterSense values.
Given the significant improvements in toilet flushing performance technology over the last few years, most new HETs will easily out-flush almost any toilet fixture installed before about 2005.
From time to time, we offer up some thoughts on our own experiences with products and technologies not covered by MaP Testing. Today, we want to suggest for those of you frustrated by waiting for hot water at the bathroom sink, a simple device that eliminates nearly all of the water waste while waiting. Both of us have installed on-demand hot water circulation systems. The systems we installed are user-activated. So now, at the flip of a switch, hot water is almost instantly available at our taps and showers. Unlike timer-based systems, user-activated systems save energy by never operating when there is no call for hot water. What’s more, the pump only operates until the hot water arrives at the furthest fixture – the energy cost for the pump is less than $2 per year. We are both very pleased with the water savings and convenience of this product. To learn more about this easy home retrofit, search for “On-Demand Hot Water Recirculation†in your browser.
– Bill and John
Principal, Koeller & Company
Office – 714.777.2744
Mobile – 714.757.0679
Email – jkoeller@map-testing.com
Principal, Gauley Associates, Ltd.
Office – 519.853.8847
Mobile – 416.677.6193
Email – bill@gauley.ca
