When it comes to showerheads, some Americans don't go with the (low) flow

Americans are adopting some green behaviors, but according to this recent Wall Street Journal report, they aren't going with the flow when it comes to water-conserving showerheads.

That news jibes with a survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center on green behavior, which found that 83 percent of Americans run their dishwasher only with full loads but only 27 percent of Americans have installed a low-flow showerhead.

The WSJ story notes that many Americans are removing flow restrictors from showerheads to circumvent the 2.5-gallon-per-minute (gpm) federal limit on showerheads. There's also a reference to the celebrated Seinfeld episode in which Kramer and Newman buy black-market unrestricted showerheads. Other Americans are getting around the federal regulations by installing multiple-fixture shower towers that use more water even with each showerhead meeting federal standards.

Almost four in five states anticipate water shortages by 2013, which could lead to steeper rates and penalties for excessive use by consumers in those states. Enduring drought conditions are leading municipalities to weigh tighter rules. Florida's Miami-Dade County is capping showerheads flow rate at 1.5 gpm, and residents of San Antonio will face a 2-gpm restriction when they shower.

You can save water without having to endure a feeble flow. Here's how:

• Buy a quality low-flow fixture. Our August 2009 report on showerheads found models that meet the 2.5-gpm flow rate and provide a satisfying shower; one American Standard model also stood out for its stimulating flow (ratings are available to subscribers). Check out available incentives for low-flow toilets and faucet accessories.

• Use a model with a shutoff button. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-commissioned study showed that retrofitting a home with a 1.75-gpm showerhead or a 2.5-gpm handheld unit with a shutoff button led to a 28 percent reduction in water use.

• Take showers instead of baths. And limit your shower to 5 minutes or less. Several water companies are even offering customers free shower timers.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential Information: Remember, if you install a multihead shower tower, it could tax your water heater. See our water-heater calculator and reports on storage-tank, tankless, and solar water heaters for more details. And if you're concerned about news reports on a harmful bacteria that can build up in some showerheads, read this blog post.

Tip of the Day: Take advantage of rebates for low-flow toilets, faucet accessories, and irrigation gear

As part of its WaterSense program, which aims to get consumers and businesses to use less water, the  U.S. Environmental Program has assembled a list of municipalities offering rebates on toilets, faucet accessories, and irrigation equipment. The list below, current as of September 21, 2009, includes links to the municipal sites where you can get details on the deals, such as the rebate for half the cost of an eligible high-efficiency toilet up to $200 being offered by the city of Sharon, Massachusetts, or the Irvine Ranch (California) Water District's $9 rebate for qualifying sprinkler-system pop-up spray heads.

If you're remodeling your bathroom or need new fixtures, read our reports on low-flow toilets and water-saving showerheads and check out the ratings of toilets and showerheads (available to subscribers). Also learn about tankless water heaters and the latest efficient dishwashers and washing machines. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

City of Avondale	Arizona	Toilets
City of Avondale	Arizona	Faucet Accessories
City of Peoria Utilities Department	Arizona	Toilets
City of Phoenix	Arizona	Toilets
City of Scottsdale Water Resources Department	Arizona	Toilets
City of Tempe	Arizona	Faucet Accessories
City of Tempe	Arizona	Toilets
City of Tucson - Tucson Water	Arizona	Toilets
Town of Payson Water Department	Arizona	Toilets
Borrego Water District	California	Toilets
City of Fresno- Water Conservation Program	California	Toilets
City of Oxnard Water Resources Division	California	Toilets
City of Santa Barbara	California	Toilets
City of Santa Rosa - Utilities	California	Toilets
City of Santa Rosa - Utilities	California	Faucet Accessories
Irvine Ranch Water District	California	Faucet Accessories
Irvine Ranch Water District	California	Toilets
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California	California	Toilets
Otay Water District	California	Toilets
San Diego County Water Authority	California	Toilets
Sonoma County Water Agency	California	Toilets
Town of Windsor	California	Faucet Accessories
Town of Windsor	California	Toilets
City of Greeley Water Department	Colorado	Toilets
City of Thornton	Colorado	Toilets
Denver Water	Colorado	Faucet Accessories
City of Melbourne	Florida	Toilets
City of Titusville	Florida	Toilets
Eastern Volusia Regional Water Authority	Florida	Toilets
Manatee County Utility Operations	Florida	Toilets
Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department	Florida	Toilets
Toho Water Authority	Florida	Faucet Accessories
City of Atlanta, Department of Watershed Management	Georgia	Toilets
City of Austell	Georgia	Toilets
City of Austell	Georgia	Faucet Accessories
City of Gainesville, Environmental Services	Georgia	Toilets
City of Roswell	Georgia	Toilets
Clayton County Water Authority	Georgia	Toilets
Cobb County Water System	Georgia	Toilets
Coweta County Water & Sewage Authority	Georgia	Toilets
Fayette County Water System	Georgia	Toilets
Fulton County Department of Public Works	Georgia	Toilets
Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources	Georgia	Toilets
Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources	Georgia	Toilets
Henry County Water & Sewerage Authority	Georgia	Toilets
Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District	Georgia	Toilets
Acton Water District	Mass.	Toilets
Concord Public Works	Mass.	Faucet Accessories
Concord Public Works	Mass.	Toilets
Dedham-Westwood Water District	Mass.	Toilets
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority	Mass.	Faucet Accessories
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority	Mass.	Toilets
Neponset River Watershed Association	Mass.	Faucet Accessories
Town of Danvers	Mass.	Toilets
Town of Sharon Water Department	Mass.	Faucet Accessories
Town of Sharon Water Department	Mass.	Toilets
Town of Walpole Water Department	Mass.	Toilets
City Utilities of Springfield	Missouri	Toilets
Southern Nevada Water Authority	Nevada	Toilets
American Water	New Jersey	Faucet Accessories
American Water	New Jersey	Toilets
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority	New Mexico	Toilets
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority	New Mexico	Faucet Accessories
City of Gallup - Gallup Joint Utilities	New Mexico	Toilets
City of Santa Fe	New Mexico	Toilets
Homewise, Inc.	New Mexico	Faucet Accessories
Homewise, Inc.	New Mexico	Toilets
City of Durham Water Management	North Carolina	Toilets
Town of Cary	North Carolina	Toilets
Eugene Water & Electric Board	Oregon	Toilets
Tualatin Valley Water District	Oregon	Toilets
City of Sioux Falls	South Dakota	Toilets
Arlington Water Utilities	Texas	Toilets
Austin Water Utility	Texas	Toilets
Austin Water Utility	Texas	Toilets
City of Allen	Texas	Toilets
City of Irving	Texas	Toilets
San Antonio Water System	Texas	Toilets
City of Charlottesville	Virginia	Toilets
City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Utilities	Virginia	Toilets
James City Service Authority	Virginia	Toilets
James City Service Authority	Virginia	Irrigation Professional Service
Cascade Water Alliance	Washington	Toilets
Cascade Water Alliance	Washington	Faucet Accessories
City of Everett Public Works	Washington	Toilets
City of Monroe - Utilities Department	Washington	Toilets
City of Redmond	Washington	Toilets
Spokane County Utilities Division	Washington	Toilets
Water District 19	Washington	Toilets
Kaukauna Utilities	Wisconsin	Toilets
Madison Water Utility	Wisconsin	Toilets

Recent study points to showerheads as bacterial breeding ground

Taking a shower can provide a bracing wake-up call or settle the nerves after a hectic day. But a new study from the University of Colorado, which suggests that the typical showerhead can be an ideal breeding ground for bacteria commonly found in municipal water supplies, might give you pause the next time you step into the shower. The study, "Opportunistic Pathogens Enriched in Showerhead Biofilms," appeared in a recent online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Begun as a class project, the study expanded to include 45 sites in nine metropolitan areas, including New York, Chicago, and Denver. Through the very DNA of the pathogens lodged in the nooks and crannies of about 50 showerheads, researchers identified numerous bacteria, notably Mycobacterium avium, a relative of the organism that causes tuberculosis (PDF).

Bacteria found in showerheads tend to clump together in slimy biofilms, the so-called soap scum that builds up on the showerhead's plastic components, explained Norman R. Pace, Ph.D., lead study author and a professor of microbiology at the university. When a shower is on, pathogens accompany the water droplets that become suspended in the air. Besides coating the shower-curtain liner or walls of the shower enclosure, these droplets are easily inhaled deeply into the lungs.

M. avium, often present in soil, is among a class of nontuberculous mycobacteria, or NTM, described as "ubiquitous" by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But although M. avium accounts for most known infections by NTM, M. avium has not been well documented as a source of infection since suspected cases of NTM infection don't have to be reported to the CDC.

What's certain is that, while M. avium complex, or MAC, is unlikely to affect most people, if contracted it could potentially cause pulmonary disease, with symptoms similar to those of tuberculosis, including a chronic shallow cough, fever, fatigue, and weight loss. Most at risk, however, are those with compromised immune systems, including people with cystic fibrosis or AIDS or who are elderly, pregnant, or otherwise immune compromised.

The study focused on showerheads, but your home has other potential hot spots, such as a humidifier not cleaned thoroughly, hot tubs, and food-prep areas. Even indoor air carries bacteria, but municipal tap water has 10 times the amount commonly found in indoor air before it even reaches the showerhead. And there's no proof that raising the temperature of your water heater would make a significant difference; the culprit is continuous moisture.

Whether or not you're especially at risk, here's what you can do to try to prevent any bacterial problems in the shower:

Brazil looks for "number one" way to save water

Call it the golden rule of water conservation. The SOS Mata Atlântica Foundation, a Brazilian environmental group that works to protect the Atlantic Forest, has launched the "Xixi no Banho" campaign encouraging Brazilians to save water by going number one while showering. (The image is from the ad for the campaign.)

In an amusing, if somewhat perplexing video promoting the campaign—it manages to incorporate the shower scene from Psycho, a tinkling King Kong, and Gandhi (shown), among other elements—the São Paulo-based organization contends that every skipped toilet flush could save more than 3 gallons of water, nearly 1,200 gallons annually per person. According to the site, as of today, 73 percent of visitors to the site go number one while showering.

Were Americans to embrace this change, the per-person water savings could be greater than they are in Brazil, since new toilets sold in this country must use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf). Older toilets consume 3.5 or more gallons per flush.

If you have a thirsty toilet, upgrading to a high-efficiency toilet is an easy way to save water. (It's your call about xixi-ing while showering.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Water Sense program sets an even stricter 1.28-gpf limit for qualifying models. In our latest report on toilets, several low-flush models performed well in our solid- and liquid-waste tests.

Installing a low-flow showerhead is another way to save water and money. Some of today's most-efficient showerheads use 2 gallons per minute or less. Read our latest report on single-setting and multisetting showerheads to find models that balances efficiency with strong flow and steady temperature.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook



Essential information: The October 2009 issue of Consumer Reports includes a feature on alternative energy, which covers pellet stoves and solar water heaters and provides you with strategies to save hundreds on your utility bills and the latest testing results for compact fluorescent lightbulbs. Check out the lively debate on this blog post about whether showers or baths use more water and visit our new Energy Saving & Green Living guide for more ways to save water and energy around the house.

The latest showerheads can save water and still provide an invigorating experience

Kramer: Hey. Super's in my bathroom changing my showerhead. Have they changed your showerhead?

Jerry: No, he's doing mine next. They're low-flow, you know.

Kramer: Low-flow? Well I don't like the sound of that.

That scene between Jerry Seinfeld and his loony neighbor Kramer takes place early in the "The Showerhead" episode of Seinfeld, which first aired on February 15, 1996, as episode 16 of the seventh season of the NBC hit sitcom. Later in the show, Kramer declares, "If I don't have a good shower, I am not myself. I feel weak and ineffectual. I'm not Kramer." Toward the end of the episode, Kramer and postman-neighbor Newman find a black-market dealer in non-low-flow showerheads who sells them the "Commando 450," which, he explains, is used only in the circus . . . for elephants. (The photo, taken from this YouTube clip, shows Kramer and Newman buying the unit.)

Last night I caught a rerun of "The Showerhead" on the Fox affiliate here in the New York City area. While the show today feels dated, one notion holds: Consumers often find that some water-saving bathroom fixtures like showerheads and toilets (latest report and ratings available to subscribers) don't perform as well as their thirsty predecessors. So it stands to reason that Jerry, Kramer, and Newman might have been dissatisfied with the low-flow fixtures installed in their apartment building.

But many new showerheads we tested for an August 2009 report meet the federal maximum flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) and provide a satisfying shower experience.

That August report also covered shower towers, multishowerhead units that promise a spalike experience at home. These models can legally use more than 2.5 gallons per minute, though each individual showerhead must meet the federal government's flow-rate levels.

One of the five showerheads on a $500 shower tower we tested exceeded the maximum federal flow rate. So earlier this month we informed the EPA of our findings, asking the agency to take compliance and enforcement action.

Look for our story on this shower tower in the October 2009 issue of Consumer Reports (online and on newsstands next week). And if you're in the market for a new showerhead, read our latest report, which covers single- and multisetting units.—Steven H. Saltzman | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

At Woodstock, there was plenty of peace & music—but few toilets

Woodstock, the film by Michael Wadleigh that came out in March 1970, less than a year after the legendary three-day happening of the same name in Bethel, New York, features some incredible moments, but for many who've seen the movie, one seemingly incongruous part is particularly remarkable.

Often referred to as the "Port-O-San sequence," this short section of the film captures a middle-aged man cleaning the portable toilets (shown) who notes that he was "happy to do this [job] for these kids." If you've seen the film, you know the juxtaposition of the Port-O-San man and the legions of concertgoers at the Woodstock "aquarian exposition" makes for a charming if not bizarre moment. (Check out the scene in this video on YouTube.)

But that's not the only odd bathroom-related nugget from Woodstock, whose 40th anniversary is this weekend and which will be the subject of Ang Lee's new film Taking Woodstock. It turns out that there were only 600 toilets available for the estimated 500,000 people who attended the festival on August 15-17, 1969, at Max Yasgur's farm in upstate New York.

Granted, far fewer folks were expected and certainly many in the crowd likely went the alfresco route, but can you imagine the bathroom mayhem with only one toilet for every 833 attendees? The organizers of Woodstock '94 had 2,800 toilets on hand, and the new Yankee Stadium, with a capacity of about 52,000 has 843 toilets, or about one toilet for every 62 fans.

We can't tell you how many toilets to install at your home, but our latest report on toilets (story and ratings available to subscribers) will help you find the models that performed best in our rigorous tests. And if you're remodeling your bathroom, read our reports on bathroom makeovers and water-saving showerheads.—Steven H. Saltzman | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Save yourself money by buying the top toilet papers from our latest report, which includes coverage of green products.

Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Checking out the latest toilets

Choosing a new toilet is a lot more complicated then it used to be. First, you have to choose between a gravity-flush and a pressure-assisted model. The latter generally use less water, but you might have to contend with a loud whoosh when you flush. Also, these toilets require water pressure of at least 25 pounds per square inch to work well.

While most of the 25 models tested for our latest report on toilets (story and ratings available to subscribers) use no more than the federally mandated 1.6 gallons of water per flush (gpf), more toilets use even less, including dual-flush models that have one flush mode for liquid waste and another for solid waste. (Read our Buzzword on greenflushing.)

Testers used blue dye to simulate liquid waste and a mix of 160 plastic balls, two latex cylinders, and seven sponges weighted with screws to mimic solid waste. Thirty-one gallons of blue dye and 1,125 flushes later, they found that not all models could flush with success. The 1.28-gpf Toto UltraMax II needed two flushes to clear all the dye. And some dual-flush toilets that tout their water-saving ability didn't do a great job either. On the solid-waste front, one model from Kohler clogged 25 percent of the time, and one from Briggs clogged half the time. But we did find two good sub-$300 performers from Gerber and Kohler. Do the job yourself, as detailed in this Weekend Project, and you might save enough to buy a top model in our ratings (available to subscribers).—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Read about the latest water-saving showerheads. Our recent tests of toilet paper found two brands that could save you up to $130 a year.

Weekend Project: Install a new showerhead

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to decrease bathing-related water use, and its WaterSense standards for showerheads will call for flow rates below the current federal limit of 2.5 gallons per minute. The challenge for manufacturers is to meet that standard without affecting shower feel, since an anemic flow can result in longer shower times and greater water use.

If your showerhead isn't looking its best or is delivering less than a satisfying flow, read our latest report on showerheads (full story and ratings available to subscribers), which covers single- and multisetting models as well as shower towers.

Installing a regular showerhead is a fairly easy job. You unscrew and remove your existing head and the plumbing tape in place, apply fresh tape (usually Teflon tape) for a tight seal, and screw the new head in place.

But when you're installing a rain-shower model, installation might not be as straightforward. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Angle the showerhead properly. Because water literally falls from some rain-shower fixtures, it will dribble out one side if the fixture isn't installed at the correct angle. You can mount many models on an existing shower arm, and some include an adapting arm to position the head at least 12 inches from the wall, facing straight down.

Determine whether extra hardware is needed. Some fixtures require a 90-degree angle to work properly. If that's the case, you'll have to get additional hardware.

Ensure proper support. Rain-shower models that weigh 6 pounds or more might require additional support beyond the standard shower arm. That could entail carpentry work. Unless you're skilled, call in a pro.

One final piece of advice: If your shower pumps out ice-cold water when the dishwasher cycles on or scalding-hot water every time a toilet is flushed, you need to replace your present shower valve with a pressure-balancing shower valve to maintain the proper mix of hot and cold water at the showerhead.

If your hot-water temperature varies, as is possible with some immersion coil water-heating systems, then you need a temperature-balancing shower valve. If that's too expensive, you can find some after-market devices that will prevent scalding by simply stopping all water flow from the showerhead if the water temperature exceeds the device's  allowable temperature. e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: If you're planning a bathroom remodel, read our latest report on toilets (full story and ratings available to subscribers) and learn how to get a relaxing retreat for less.

Weekend Project: Install a new toilet

Unless you’re comfortable with plumbing projects and have someone to help with the lifting, you’ll probably want to leave toilet installation to a plumber. Costs vary considerably by location and typically range from about $200 to $450.

To find the best model for your home, read our latest report on toilets (story and ratings available to subscribers), which covers the most water-efficient models and will fill you in on the differences between gravity and pressure-assisted types.

Gravity models are best if you want a quiet, proven design or have low water pressure at your home. These rely on water dropping from the tank into the bowl and trap to move waste down the drain. Pressure as low as 10 pounds per square inch is adequate for some models, since gravity does all the work.

Pressure-assisted models are best if you have a large family since heavy use is more likely to cause a toilet to clog. These create the most flushing power, as pressure created when water displaces air within a sealed tank causes the water to thrust waste forcefully out through the bowl.

Note that pressure-assisted toilets can be loud. Also, these toilets require at least 25 pounds per square inch of water pressure to work well.

A growing number of toilets, both pressure-assisted and gravity models, have a dual-flush feature that uses even less water when flushing away liquid waste.

You will also need to choose a height. Toilets with seats 17 to 19 inches off the floor meet Americans With Disabilities Act standards and are easier to use for most adults.

Before anyone picks up a wrench . . .

• Look for the proper credentials. The plumber you choose should have proper licensing. Membership in professional organizations and several years of experience are a plus. Visit the Contractor's License Reference Site to find out whether a contractor is licensed in your state.

• Verify liability insurance. Ask to see a copy of the certificate of insurance and check with the insurer to make sure the policy is active.

• Position the toilet first. If you’re changing the toilet’s location, decide where the new one will go before you relocate the other fixtures. Toilets require a 3- to 4-inch drainpipe. Relocating it may be more difficult than relocating and installing the smaller drains for showers and sinks.

• Change the lines. Replace rigid chrome-plated copper water-supply lines with braided, flexible stainless-steel lines. Besides easing future repairs, these lines help minimize leaks that could develop with minor movement.

• Check for leaks. See that there are no leaks at the water-shutoff valve that connects to the wall or at the base of the toilet before the pro packs up and leaves.

Essential information: Find out how to save water in the bathroom. Check out our SiteSeeing posts on the how-to sites Instructables.com and Howcast.com.

Quick fix gets toilets working again aboard the International Space Station

"The station's Waste Hygiene Compartment toilet continues to work well following maintenance work by Expedition 20 Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Frank De Winne."

That's one of the items you'll see today on NASA's Latest Space Shuttle News page. In the ultra-high-tech realm of space exploration and experimentation, indoor plumbing might seem like a mundane matter, but for the American astronauts aboard the International Space Station, getting the toilets working was key. (The top photo shows the space station as seen from the space shuttle Endeavour just before the two spacecraft docked. The bottom photo is of a Russian-built toilet system on the space station. Both images are courtesy of NASA.)

On Sunday, the Waste Hygiene Compartment inside Destiny, the American laboratory aboard the space station, went out of order after a pump that injects chemicals into the toilet to separate liquid and solid waste failed. Crew members from the shuttle Endeavour and the other Americans on the space station were forced to use the loo in the neighboring Russian module while flight engineers made the repair.

It's a good bet that none of the toilets on the space station are gravity-flush models, which edged out pressure-assisted models in overall performance in our latest report on toilets (available to subscribers).

Fixing a toilet up in space is a delicate operation, but repairing your toilet at home needn't be. See the breakdown below of typical toilet problems and details on their repair. Note that if you're toilet installed before 1995 is on the fritz, you might consider replacing it with a new model, which will save you lots of water. Those older toilets consume 3.5 gallons or more per flush but models today must consume 1.6 gallons or less per flush.

Problem: Running toilet and "phantom" flushes
Repair: Replace flapper or fill valve or both
DIY cost: $5 to $15
Pro cost: $100 and up

Problem: Wobbly toilet
Repair: Replace flange or wax ring or both, though repair isn't easy for novices
DIY cost: $30 to $40
Pro cost: $300 and up

Problem: Leaking toilet.
Repair: New water-supply connections; replace tank- to-bowl gasket and bolts
DIY cost: $10 to $30
Pro cost: $180 and up—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our report on toilet paper, which includes green papers. And find out how to save on a bathroom remodel.