Arvada 1996 WCPlan

• Project Type: Water Conservation Plan
• Project Name: Arvada Water Conservation Plan
• Title: Water Conservation Master Plan
• Date: 6/25/1996
• County: Adams
• County: Jefferson
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Complete Plan

CITY OF ARVADA - WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM

Measure:

Ultra-Low-Flush Toilets

Objective:

Reduction in Water Demand

Applicable Sectors:

New and existing residential
New and existing commercial

Measure Description

Ultra-low-flush (UL V) toilets use special designs to reduce water used for toilet flushing
to about 1.5 gallons per flush, down from 5.5 gallons per flush in a non-conserving toilet
and 3.5 gallons in a low-flush toilet. Two main types of ultra-low-flush toilets are
currently available. Type I - retains the gravity flush concept, operating efficiently
because of improvements in design. Toilets with this design typically use 1.0 to 1.5
gallons per flush. Type 2 - features a pressurized flush tank, in which water is forced
into the bowl using pressure from the water system. Toilets with this design typically
use 1.6 gallons per flush.

Applicable Regulations

Currently, Arvada Code Section 33-52 (adopted in 1979) requires that all tank type water
closets installed in all alterations, additions and new construction in the city use 3.5
gallons of water or less per flush.

Delivery Mechanisms

. Information Program - Promote the voluntary installation of ultra-low-flush
toilets in new construction and existing homes and buildings through
information and education of Arvada's citizens, developers, and contractors.

. Rebate Program - Offer an incentive payment (rebate) to contractors,
developers, and owners of homes and buildings who voluntarily install ultra-
low-flush toilets in new and existing homes and buildings during 1990
(retroactive to January 1, 1990). Review program annually for renewal.

. Regulatory Program - Adopt a City Ordinance requiring the installation of
-- - - - n - - - - -- _u - -llitra-!ow-fklsA--teHets--in-new-eonstruction --and LipOl1 ''''llud",lmg---or-a:--
structure effective as early as January 1, 1991, but not later than
January 1, 1992. Adoption early in 1990 with implementation later would
give developers, contractors, and plumbing fixture suppliers time to prepare
for the new requirement. In the meantime, widely advertise the ordinance.
There would be no rebates for installation of ULV toilets in new construction
and remodeling projects after implementation of this ordinance. The 1989
Citizens Attitude Survey showed that 61f percent of the returns strongly or
very strongly agreed the City should implement the installation of ULV
toilets in all new homes and businesses, including the City's facilities.

Methodology

. Water Use and Savings

As part of the HUD Survey of Water Fixture Use in 1981f, data on frequency
of flushes and water use in toilets was collected from eight groups of
25 single-family households across the United States. These groups were

-1-