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Water
Reducing Water Use
There are many ways to reduce the amount of water used inside and outside of a building.
Indoor Water Use
Water fixtures and appliances
- Fix leaks, retrofit existing fixtures, and look for low new flow models.Graywater
- Oregon has approved the reuse of wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom sinks and washing machines for flushing toilets.Rainwater
– Rainwater collected from a roof can be used for non-potable uses like flushing toilets and washing clothes, as well as for drinking water, if treated properly.Composting toilets
- Composting toilets are low-tech, waterless toilets.- Oregon rules for using composting toilets Opens a New Window. - See section 918-770-0080. Homes using composting toilets need a way to dispose of the other liquid wastes, through either an approved septic system or a connection to the sanitary sewer.
- National Sanitary Foundation standards Opens a New Window. - The brand and model must comply with NSF/ANSI Standard 41 listed under composting/incinerating toilets.
Waterless urinals -
A waterless urinal uses gravity instead of flushing with water to move liquid into the sewer system.- Oregon Plumbing Code Section Opens a New Window. addressing use of waterless urinals – see Section 402.3.1.
Irrigation
Yard watering is the highest water use in the home, up to about 60% of total water use.
Water saving landscape design
- Choose native, low water use plants, and locate plants with similar water needs together for efficient watering. Minimize lawn areas or consider replacing grass with eco-turf, ground covers, low-water-use plants or mulches.Smart irrigation
- Avoid overwatering. Install efficient irrigation such as drip systems, soaker hoses and smart sprinklers.Using rainwater
– Use rainwater instead of potable water to irrigate.Using graywater
– In August 2011, statewide rules were adopted to allow the use of graywater for irrigation.