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<br />. <br /> <br />VIII. Possible Conservation Measures <br /> <br />The following is a summary of conservation measures that must be considered as a part of the 1991 Water <br />Conservation Act and a discussion of their applicability with regards to Durango. <br /> <br />1. Water-efficient fixtures and appliances, including toilets, urinals, showerheads andfaucets. <br /> <br />Federal legislation now requires the manufacture of low volume toilets which require only 1.6 gallons <br />per flush. Low-flush toilets are a relatively new technology and use special designs to reduce water <br />used for flushing. There are two main types available. One type retains the gravity flush concept, <br />operating efficiently because of improvements in design. The other type features a pressurized flush <br />tank, in which water is forced into the bowl using pressure from the water system. <br />Low-flow toilets are sometimes controversial because ofreports which suggest the fixtures require a <br />high level of maintenance. Low-flow showerheads and faucets which use only 2.5 gallons of water <br />per minute are also the standard in the industry today. <br /> <br />Options for the City of Durango to consider are: <br />A. Adopt a City Ordinance requiring the installation of low-flow toilets and low-flow showerheads <br />and faucets in new construction and upon remodeling of a structure. Since these are the only types of <br />fixtures currently being manufactured in the United States, this would have very little effect on the <br />local plumbing sector and citizenry. An ordinance would simply validate the existing situation. The <br />only possible exception would be customers that may want imported fixtures in their home. <br /> <br />B. Promote the voluntary installation oflow-flow toilets in new commercial construction and the <br />change-out of older, higher flow plumbing fixtures in all remodels and repair situations. The City <br />could disseminate information about low-flow fixtures to citizens, developers, and contractors <br />through the Public Works office and the BuilJing Department. Durango should inform its customers <br />that the City will not be held liable for fixture performance, installation, sewer line blockage, or other <br />problems that could potentially occur. <br /> <br />C. Offer an incentive rebate to contractors, developers, and owners of buildings who voluntarily <br />install low-flow fixtures in existing buildings. The program should be reviewed annually for <br />renewal. Before giving a refund to our customers, a City inspector would have to verifY the sales <br />receipt, fixture installation, and actual volume of water used. Once again, the City must make it clear <br />that it is not liable for any problems that may occur. <br /> <br />D. Provide replacement fixtures and/or accessories to our customers. In the past, the City has <br />examined a retrofit program which would replace existing conventional fixtures with low-flow <br />fixtures. A typical retrofit package consists of a low-flow showerhead, faucet aerators and a toilet <br />dam. Several studies have been conducted by others to estimate water savings from a low-flow <br />fixture retrofit program. A retrofit program in the City of Orand lunction showed that converting <br />standard fixtures to low-flow fixtures saved approximately 6% of indoor water use. <br /> <br />8 <br />