Retrofitting / Replacing Old Fixtures
Water Conservation Action No. 2 –
Replace older, inefficient plumbing fixtures.
Local water providers are required to implement a program to speed the conversion of older, inefficient plumbing fixtures to current code low-flow models. Toilet replacement must be specifically addressed in the program. Local water providers may choose the type of program that best fits their system such as direct installs, rebate incentives or any other program that provides at least the same rate of replacement.
Why is retrofitting important?
Older fixtures use more water than new, efficient fixtures. Homes built in or prior to 1993 may contain inefficient fixtures. Approximately 75 percent of the District’s housing stock was built prior to 1993. Toilets are targeted because toilets are the largest consumers of water in the home with 24 percent of total use. Although there is some natural replacement through remodeling, retrofit programs will speed up the natural rate of fixture replacement.
Before the 1950s, toilets typically used 7 gallons or more for each flush. By the end of the 1960s, toilets were designed to flush with only 5.5 gallons, and in the 1980s the new toilets being installed were using only 3.5 gallons. Today, a new toilet uses no more than 1.6 gallons of water. Title 8, Section 8-2-3 of Georgia code states that after April 1, 1992 all residential buildings of all types shall not be constructed with a toilet that uses more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush.
Replacing an inefficient toilet with a toilet that uses 1.6-gallons per flush will save approximately 50 – 75% of a toilet’s water use.
Replacing a 7-gallon per flush toilet will save 5.4 gallons per flush or 77 percent.
Replacing a 5-gallon per flush toilet will save 3.4 gallons per flush or 68 percent.
Replacing a 3.5-gallon per flush toilet will save 1.9 gallons per flush or 54 percent.
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