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This Article shall be known as the Water Efficiency Requirements for the construction of new buildings and the installation of new plumbing fixtures in existing buildings in the City. The purpose of this Article is to impose water efficiency requirements for the construction of new buildings and the installation of new plumbing fixtures in existing buildings to minimize the effect of any water shortages to the customers of the City; and, by means of this Article, to adopt provisions that will reduce the consumption of water over an extended period of time, thereby extending the available water required for customers while reducing hardship on the City and the general public to the greatest extent possible, voluntary conservation efforts having proved to be insufficient.
It is hereby declared that it is in the interest of the City to advance water efficiency measures for new development in the City. To enhance the sustainability of the City’s water supply, water resources available to the City shall be put to the maximum beneficial use to the extent possible.
For purposes of this Article the following terms are defined as follows based on recognized industry terms.
Other definitions relating to plumbing fixtures are contained in the City Plumbing Code.
1. “ASME” is the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
2. “Commercial Pre-rinse Spray Valves (PRSV)” are assemblies consisting of a flexible hose and spray head for attachment to a faucet with a built-in diverter. Commercial kitchen pre-rinse spray valves shall be equipped with an integral automatic shut off.
3. “Cooling Tower” is a large exterior heat exchanger that transfers heat from condenser water to the outside air.
4. “CSA” is the Canadian Standards Association.
5. “Cycles of concentration” is the accumulation of dissolved minerals in a cooling tower recirculating water.
6. “Dual Flush” means a toilet that has two flush modes, one at 1.1 gallons per flush or less and one at 1.6 gallons per flush or less.
7. “Energy Star®” is a government backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through energy efficiency.
8. “High Efficiency Toilet” is a toilet that flushes with no more than 1.28 gallons of water. A dual flush toilet is equivalent to a high efficiency toilet.
9. “High Efficiency Urinal” is a fixture that flushes with no more than 0.5 gallons of water. A non-water use urinal is a high efficiency urinal.
10. “IAPMO” is the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.
11. “Kitchen or Bar Sink Faucet” is a device opening that drains water into an approved receptacle in domestic or commercial installations. Faucets that drain into other types of sinks, such as clinic sinks, floor sinks, service sinks and other similar sinks are not included.
12. “Lavatory Faucet” is a faucet that drains into a lavatory basin in a domestic or commercial installation.
13. “Metering Faucet” is a faucet that after actuation dispenses water of a predetermined volume or for a predetermined period of time. The volume or cycle duration can be fixed or adjustable.
14. “Non-Water Urinals” are plumbing fixtures that are designed to receive and convey only liquid waste (urine) through a trap seal and into the gravity drainage system without the use of water for such function. Zero-water, Water-less or Water-free urinals are equivalent terms for Non-water urinals.
15. “Potable Water” is water that is satisfactory for drinking, culinary, and domestic purposes that meets the requirements of the health authority having jurisdiction.
16. “Private or Private Use” refers to plumbing fixtures in residences and apartments, private bathrooms in hotels and hospitals, and restrooms in commercial establishments where the fixtures are intended for the use of a family or an individual.
17. “Public or Public Use” means all uses of fixtures or structures that are not defined as private or private use.
18. “Self-Closing Faucet” is a faucet designed to close itself as the activating mechanism is released.
19. “Single Pass Cooling Systems” are systems within which water is circulated only once to cool equipment before disposal.
20. “US EPA” is the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
21. “Water Closet, Electro-Hydraulic Tank Type” is a water closet of the siphonic or washdown type that utilizes motors, pumps, and controllers to assist the flushing action by monitoring and controlling the flush and dictating the exact discharge from the tank into the bowl. All electro-hydraulic tank type water closets shall have a maximum effective flush volume of not more than 1.28 gallons (4.8 liters) of water per flush in accordance with ASME A112.19.2/ CSA B45.1 or ASME A112.19.14 and shall also be listed to the EPA WaterSense Tank-Type High Efficiency Toilet Specification. The effective flush volume for dual flush toilets is the composite, average flush volume of two reduced flushes and one full flush.
22. “Water Closet, Gravity” is a water closet that is designed to flush the bowl by gravity. All gravity type water closets shall have a maximum effective flush volume of not more than 1.28 gallons (4.8 liters) of water per flush in accordance with ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1 or ASME A112.19.14 and shall also be listed to the EPA WaterSense Tank- Type High Efficiency Toilet Specification. The effective flush volume for dual flush toilets is the composite, average flush volume of two reduced flushes and one full flush.
23. “Water Closet, Pressure-Assist Type” is a water closet with a pressure vessel installed within its tank that uses water supply pressure to compress entrapped air. When the flushing mechanism is activated, the energy stored in the compressed air is released, causing a surge of water into the bowl. All pressure-assist type water closets shall have a maximum effective flush volume of not more than 1.28 gallons (4.8 liters) of water per flush in accordance with ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1 or ASME A112.19.14 and shall also be listed to the EPA WaterSense Tank-Type High Efficiency Toilet Specification. The effective flush volume for dual flush toilets is the composite, average flush volume of two reduced flushes and one full flush.
24. “Water Factor” is the number of gallons of water per cycle per cubic foot (ft3) that a clothes washer uses. The Water Factor for a clothes washer (residential or commercial) shall be calculated by the quantity of water in Liter/Gallon (L/G) used to wash each cubic meter (m3) or each cubic foot (ft3) of machine drum capacity. The Water Factor for a residential dishwasher shall be calculated by the quantity of water use in L/G per full machine wash and rinse cycle.
Effective December 1, 2009, all plumbing installations in new buildings and installations of new plumbing fixtures in existing buildings shall meet the following requirements:
(a) Toilets. All toilets installed shall be high efficiency fixtures. The maximum flush volume for high efficiency toilets shall not exceed 1.28 gallons of water (effective) per flush (gpf).
(b) Urinals. All urinals installed shall be high efficiency fixtures. The maximum flush volume of high efficiency urinals shall not exceed 0.5 gallon of water per flush. Effective October 1, 2010, the maximum flush volume of high efficiency urinals shall not exceed 0.125 gallon of water per flush.
(c) Faucets. All faucets in public restrooms must be self closing. The flow rate for all indoor faucets shall be 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm) except as follows:
• The maximum flow rate for private or private use lavatory faucets shall be 1.5 gpm (5.6 Lpm).
• The maximum flow rate for public use lavatory faucets, shall be 0.5 gpm. Exception: Metering faucets shall deliver not more than 0.25 gallon (1.0 liter) of water per cycle.
• The maximum flow rate for a pre- rinse spray valve installed in a commercial kitchen to remove food waste from cookware and dishes prior to cleaning shall be 1.6 gpm (6.0 Lpm).
(d) Showerheads. All showerheads must be low flow with a maximum flow rate that does not exceed 2.0 gallons per minute. This requirement shall not apply to any emergency showerhead installed for health or safety purposes.
(e) Dishwashers.
1. The maximum water use for high efficiency commercial dishwashers shall be in accordance with Table 1.
Type | High-Temperature Maximum gallons per rack | Chemical Maximum gallons per rack |
Conveyer | 0.70 | 0.62 |
Door | 0.95 | 1.16 |
Undercounter | 0.90 | 0.98 |
2. The maximum water use per washing cycle for high efficiency domestic dishwashers shall be 5.8 gallons.
All installed dishwashers must be Energy Star® rated.
(f) Cooling Towers. All cooling towers must be operated at a minimum of 5.5 cycles of concentration.
(g) Use of Single Pass Cooling Systems. Single pass cooling systems are strictly prohibited for use in devices, processes, or equipment installed in commercial, industrial, or multi family residential buildings. This prohibition shall not apply to devices, processes, or equipment installed for health or safety purposes that cannot operate safely otherwise.
The provisions of this Article shall apply to all customers and properties served by the Department of Water and Power wherever situated, and shall also apply to all property and facilities owned, maintained, operated or under the jurisdiction of the various officers, boards, departments, bureaus or agencies of the City.
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