Precious Water: Sustainable Indoor Water Systems
New techniques and technologies—including bathroom and lavatory fixtures—help boost full-building “water efficiency”
Instructions
- Read the article "Precious Water: Sustainable Indoor Water Systems "
- Complete the questions below, then fill in your answers.
- Fill out and submit the AIA/CES education reporting form in the magazine, securely online, or print the form to receive one AIA learning unit.
Questions:
Program Code: 018GSSP1
LU: 1
1. The amount of energy used to pump and treat the American public water supply is about 50 billion kilowatt-hours, roughly enough energy to:
a. power millions of homes for a year.
b. power several large buildings for a year.
c. power one large building for a year.
d. power a thousand homes for a year.
2. In most buildings, what water-related item consumes the most water, at about 25-33 percent of the total amount?
a. Cooling towers
b. Irrigation equipment
c. Faucets
d. Toilets
3. The U.S. water conservation movement has been an outgrowth
of what major infrastructural challenge?
a. Depletion of drinking-water reservoirs
b. The need for more water supply pipes
c. Sewage treatment and storm-water overflows
d. Utility rate increases
4. When buying, specifying or choosing toilets, it is recommended to
rely simply on the model rating number for MaP test scores.
a. True
b. False
5. Benefits of sensor-operated fixtures include all of the following, EXCEPT:
a. increased cleanliness and hygiene.
b. improved water conservation.
c. reduced user abuse and maintenance requirements.
d. reduced electrical requirements.
6. It is important to pair flush valves and toilets when selecting
commercial-grade toilets because:
a. it can enhance fixture performance.
b. it can further reduce water use.
c. Both of the above
d. Neither of the above
7. Which of the following is NOT a requirement of the U.S.
Green Building Council’s standard for a “green toilet?”:
a. User friendliness
b. 1.28-gpf or lower flush volume
c. Serve as major tool in reducing potable water consumption
d. Require cleaning with bleach
8. To improve water conservation with high-efficiency urinals, which
of the following statements is accurate?
a. Retrofitting valves can suffice in some cases.
b. Replacement of the entire urinal is always required.
c. Only waterless urinals can be used.
d. None of the above
9. While kitchen faucets need about a 2.5 gpm flow rate in order to
function adequately, lavatory faucets can have flows as low as:
a. 0.1 gpm.
b. 2.0 gpm, but only with an aerator.
c. 1.28 gpm.
d. 0.5 gpm.
10.The LEED® baseline and EPAct requirement for showerhead
water flow rates is:
a. 4.0 – 6.0 gpm.
b. 1.28 gpm.
c. 2.5 gpm.
d. 0.5 gpm.



