Not only has California been stricken by a prolonged drought, but it’s also embroiled in legal battles over the state’s access to water from the Colorado River and other sources. In an effort to lower the state’s overall water use, California Governor Jerry Brown signed an executive order in 2015 to improve the efficiency of water appliances in new and existing buildings throughout the state.
According to the California Energy Commission, state residents use about 443 billion gallons of water a year to run faucets and flush toilets and urinals. The new California Title 20 Water Efficiency Standards were expected to save more than 10 billion gallons in 2016, the first year they went into effect. Eventually, the Commission predicts that annual savings will be as much as 105 billion gallons.
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Water savings are expected to increase as businesses and residences replace their old toilets, urinals, faucets and showerheads. The new water efficiency standards state that as of Jan. 1, 2016, only compliant kitchen faucets, public lavatory faucets, toilets and urinal flush valves can be sold in the state. However, existing faucets and toilets in homes and businesses don’t have to be replaced. Also, California distributors, wholesalers and retailers are able to sell noncompliant residential lavatory faucets and shower devices they had in stock as of Jan. 1, 2016.
California’s new water efficiency standards could lead to nationwide adoption, as major manufacturers have said they’ll sell California-compliant faucets outside the state as well.