Posted on 10/14/2010 6:56:01 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
NEW YORK -- Number one, or number two?
Share 42 Comments Under a law passed by the City Council today, new toilets will have to be high water efficient or "dual-flush," which allow users to choose between a high pressure flush for solid waste, and a low-pressure flush for liquid.
The law, which significantly changes the city plumbing code starting July 2012, applies the same strict water efficiency standards to plumbing fixtures like showerheads, urinals and sink faucets.
The package of water conservation bills also requires water fountains have separate spouts for drinking and for filling water containers; commercial buildings install alarms and sub-meters to detect water leaks; and limits the use of "once-through" cooling systems, such as those used to cool ice-making machines, walk-in coolers and older medical x-ray and laser equipment.
Advocates say the bills, part of a comprehensive package aimed at making buildings more energy efficient, could save the city 60 billion gallons of water per year once most of the older equipment is replaced. But some fear the measures - which, in some cases add 50 percent to the cost of fixtures - would just throw money down the drain.
New Yorkers use approximately 126 gallons of water per capita, per day - though residential use accounts for about 70 gallons per person, per day, according to figures from the city's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
A study by the non-profit Urban Green Council estimates that simply by changing some of these commonly used fixtures could knock that down by 5-7 gallons per person, per day. More efficient cooling systems could potentially save between 150,000 and 200,000 gallons per year, it found. And changing water fountains would also encourage the use of reusable water containers, thus saving the city millions in the cost of recycling plastic bottles, the study said.
Council Minority Leader James Oddo (R-Mid-Island), who voted against the water fountain and "toilet" bill, along with colleague Vincent Ignizio (R-South Shore), said some of the measures reach too far.
"When does it stop? Does it stop when we micromanage every minute facet of our lives? I want people to drink water as much as the next guy, but to make it part of a law so that someone does not have to tilt a water container to fill it up?" Oddo said.
Ignizio also noted that New Yorkers have been paying higher water bills despite conserving water - consumption has been cut by more than 7 percent in 7 years, while water rates have nearly doubled in 10 years.
Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) defended the legislation, saying the common design of water fountains do not meet the current needs of water conservation and consumption.
"Believe it or not, it is actually not easy to take a water bottle and refill it. If you try to do it, the way the spigot works, you probably get water all over yourself, and two, you end up wasting a lot of water," Ms. Quinn said.
The water conservation laws will apply to all new construction and major renovations, or whenever a homeowner needs a Department of Buildings (DOB) permit to replace a bathroom or kitchen fixtures.
Dual flush toilets are commonly available in Europe, but do not currently comply with the city's plumbing code. According to some estimates, dual flush toilets cost about 5 percent more than others, on average. A comparison study by Urban Green Council found that dual-flush toilets result in 23-32 percent less water usage than conventional fixtures and the average water savings from replacing existing plumbing fixtures with dual-flush fixtures was 10,600 gallons per year per home.
I didn’t see where it said that existing toilets had to be changed?
The radio talk shows in NYC are now mentioning that the inauguration of the first dual flush toilet installed in NYC government buildings will be graced by none other than Nobel Peace Prize and Oscar winner -— Al Gore.
I didn’t see where it said that existing toilets had to be changed?
Here’s the news again :
Under a law passed by the City Council today, new toilets will have to be high water efficient or “dual-flush,” which allow users to choose between a high pressure flush for solid waste, and a low-pressure flush for liquid.
This will only affect NEW BUILDINGS and NEW HOUSES built in NYC.
My current eco-friendly toilet is a dual flush (sometimes a triple or a quad)just everything to go down.
“You’re kidding me. We are running out of dihydrogen oxide. Time to move to Mars.”
dihydrogen monoxide.
There are the same number of water molecules today as there were when God created the earth. The water cycle is a closed loop of evaporation, cloud formation and rain. Repeated constantly.
We will never run out of water.
In the thread title, the part in parentheses is confusing.
Sorry, Professor. Can I come by after class and do some extra credit?
Remember that new municipal building in Philly? They were going to have some sort of “new” waterless bathroom fixtures, but the plumbers union got upset, and they ended up running capped supply pipes as well.
I haven’t heard much about the success (or failure) of the fixtures, but as much as detest “featherbedding”, having a backup in this case isn’t a bad idea, even though that wasn’t the purpose.
Next the toilets will have a little scale thing to catch the solid waste, weigh it, and calculate how much water should be sent in the flush. It will save some water, but your new toilets (which will be required by law, mandatory you have to buy them - it’s in the Commerce Clause, doncha know?) will cost $40,000 each for all the technology. A plumber’s base trip charge will go to $2,000....
...and to have built-in video cameras so that government agents can see who's choosing the wrong flush....
...and take appropriate punitive action.
Soon all New Yorkers will be required to take Weasley’s “U-No-Poo!”
Actually, I’d consider the toilet if the cost/payback were reasonable. I like to save money whenever, and wherever I can. I’m on the “if it’s yellow, let it mellow” system now. But I admit to modifying my low flush toilet to allow a lot more water into the tank.
We affectionately refer to our eco-friendly thrones as Algore toilets. I wish I had a nickel for every time that I have had to plunge them.
Its not about efficient energy or water availability. Those are simply tools to achieve control over people.
No there aren't. Martha Stewart climbed Mt. Everest to collect hydrogen and oxygen atoms so she could make her own water.................
RE: Actually, I’d consider the toilet if the cost/payback were reasonable
Well, that’s exactly the point of all those who are questioning this legislation.
WHO GETS TO DECIDE WHETHER SOMETHING IS VALUE FOR MONEY FOR THEMSELVES?
The problem with Liberals is they sit on their elected thrones believing THEY get to decide for you.
AS I said before, liberals are anti-choice against almost everything except when it comes to killing babies.
Pull a permit, upgrade the works.
Where is Al Bundy when we need him?
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