School of Technology

1
350g Sinking Waste 350g Floating Waste
Average Carry Distances 350g Sinking Waste 350g
Floating Waste
Department of Building Construction Management
Impact of ULF and H-E toilets on Drainline Carry
Veritec Test This test created, more difficult
than average conditions for testing. It used a
4 clear plastic pipe rather than 3 at a 1
grade. The clear pipe was chosen to allow the
distance samples travel to be viewed. A minimum
of 4 meters (approx. 13 feet ) was required.
Three styles of H-E toilets were tested 1.2 gpf
gravity washdown, 1.28 gpf gravity siphonic and
1.0 gpf pressure assist. Testing was run with no
supplemental flows from other waste water
producing devices and ran a ratio of liquid to
solid flushes of 11 rather than the average
range of 31 to 51. The samples used were 350g
samples of soy paste and toilet paper. To create
the floating samples powdered styrofoam was mixed
into the soy paste. The toilet paper sample was
four balls of six sheets each. The results are
shown in the chart.
Caroma Developed new dual flush toilet 1.2
gpf/0.8 gpf. After testing in lab setting, ran a
test by retrofitting 100 private residences. Dr.
Stephen Cummings, head of Research and
Development for Caroma stated, Several
of the test locations had situations of above
average difficulty due to the length of the
minimum grade line, varying grades along the
line, old earthenware pipes, and a lack of
upstream fixtures. Ten of the 100 locations were
chosen to be inspected with CCTV. Upon this
inspection no blockages were found, the
homeowners were also surveyed and confirmed
satisfaction with the performance of the new
toilets.
Additional Facts Pressure assisted toilets are
less likely to clog than 3.5 gpf toilets. The
majority of 1.6 gpf toilets work well and owners
claim to be satisfied or very satisfied with
performance 90 of owners in San Diego, CA 95
of owners in Austin, TX 91 of owners in Tampa,
Fl
the key requirement between the WC and drain line
is to fully discharge the waste from the bowl
outlet using initial part of the flush and then
to achieve steady flow conditions within a
minimum distance within the drain line system in
order for the waste to effectively clear the
drain line.
Average Carry Distances 350g Sinking
Waste 350g Floating Waste
1.20-gallon Washdown 1.20-gallon Washdown 1-gallon Pressure-Assist 1-gallon Pressure-Assist 1.28-gallon Gravity 1.28-gallon Gravity
1st Flush 2.9 m (9.4 ft) 1st Flush 1.3 m (4.2 ft) 1st Flush 3.7 m (12.2 ft)
2nd Flush 7.4 m (24.1 ft) 2nd Flush 4.4 m (14.4 ft) 2nd Flush 6.2 m (20.3 ft)
Test Rig for Veritec Test
Sewer Plant Technology Impact Through
conversation with John Toore maintenance
supervisor at the West Lafayette, Indiana water
treatment plant it was found out that solid
waste is 1 of all of the waste entering the
facilities. Mr. Toore does not feel that the
increased ratio of solid to liquid waste will
make any impact on the facility.
1.20-gallon Washdown 1.20-gallon Washdown 1-gallon Pressure-Assist 1-gallon Pressure-Assist 1.28-gallon Gravity 1.28-gallon Gravity
1st Flush 5.8 m (19.2 ft) 1st Flush 2.0 m (6.4 ft) 1st Flush 4.5 m (14.8 ft)
2nd Flush 9.0 m (29.5 ft) 2nd Flush 4.9 m (16.1 ft) 2nd Flush 9.0 m (29.5 ft)
Gauley, B. (October 10, 2006). RE WaterSense
Drainline Carry Testing Results. Mississauga, ON
Veritec Consulting Inc. Gauley, B., Koeller,
J. (March 11, 2005). Evaluation of
Water-Efficient Toilet Technologies to Carry
Waste in Drainlines Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation. Testing Times 'Down Under' (2007).
World Plumbing Review(1), 4. Wastewater
Technology Fact Sheet - High-Efficiency Toilets
(September 2000). Washington, D.C. United States
Environmental Protection Agency.
Professor Kirk Alter Research Assistant
Russell Kahn
2
Department of Building Construction Management
Impact of Grey Water Systems
Aquifer Recharge The impact that grey water
systems have on different aspects of concern are
varied. Many localities limit the use of
untreated grey water use to subsurface
irrigation. This is typically accomplished
through a drip system (see illustration) or mini
leach fields. This limitation of grey water to
subsurface irrigation has the unintended
consequence of not only putting the water and
nutrients that it carries, commonly nitrogen and
phosphorous, directly back into the ground to
feed plant life but also to recharge the aquifer.
Use of greywater also limits the use of potable
water that is pulled from the municipal systems .
Irrigation is the single greatest use of
municipal water for households.
Cost Data for Average 3bd/2bth House w/ Family of
4
Parts and Approximate Costs for the Brown Family Graywater System
Parts Approximate Cost ()  
washing machine hook-up    
connection parts 20  
three-way diverter valve 28  
pipe to sewer 4  
pipe to tank 4  
sanitary tee 3  
shower/bath hook-up    
connection parts 15  
pipe to tank 4  
bends 15  
fittings 15  
vent 13  
Total Plumbing Parts   121
55 gallon tank with lid 101  
vent 13  
inlet pipe 4  
overflow pipe 4  
drain pipe 4  
backwater valve 4  
water seal type trap 3  
emergency drain ball valve 28  
tank adapters (20 each, one for each pipe) 60  
union 12  
Total Tank Parts   233
Total Pump   150
AND    
Subsurface Drip Irrigation System    
filter 140 mesh one-inch 25 gal/min 25  
pipe PVC class 200 12  
fittings schedule 40 15  
drip lines 112 emitters 46  
valves (25 each) 50  
automatic flush valve (2 each) 4  
controller 50  
switches 32  
pressure reducing valve 15  
compression T's 4  
Total Drip Parts   253
OR    
Mini-leachfield    
solid pipe 50  
perforated pipe 180 ft. 70  
gravel, 18 in /130'/1' 7 yds. 70  
landscape filter fabric 40  
Total Leachfield Parts   230
GRAND TOTAL DRIP   757
GRAND TOTAL LEACHFIELD   734
Cost for permit fees, rental equipment, professional installation, and maintenance not included. Cost for permit fees, rental equipment, professional installation, and maintenance not included. Cost for permit fees, rental equipment, professional installation, and maintenance not included.
Storage The state of Californinia requires that
the tank must be solid, durable, watertight when
filled, and protected from corrosion. The tank
must be vented and have a locking gasketed lid.
There must also be an overflow valve that is
permanently attached to a sewer line of septic
tank. Austin, TX considers grey water systems to
be adaptations of septic systems and treats them
as such.
Typical grey water hookup to subsurface drip
irrigation system
A Sourcebook for Green and Sustainable Building -
Graywater (January 13, 2007). Gelt, J. Home Use
of Graywater, Rainwater Conserves Water--and May
Save Money. . Graywater Systems (2008)
Sustainable Building Sourcebook. Austin, TX
Sustainable Sources. Using Graywater in Your Home
Landscape Graywater Guide (January 1995). In D.
o. W. R. S. o. California (Ed.) State of
California.
http//www.owue.water.ca.gov/docs/graywater_guide_
book.pdf
Professor Kirk Alter Research Assistant
Russell Kahn
3
Department of Building Construction Management
Most Effective Areas of Plumbing in Water Savings

• Future Areas of Research
• Actual cost of retrofitting a facility with grey
  water recycling and/or rain water reclamation
• Technology to treat grey water and rain water to
  tertiary standards within reuse systems and cost
  effectiveness

• Grey Water Recycling
• Grey water can be used in place of potable
  water in all areas of water use except for
  drinking , food prep and cleaning. Only 20 of
  the potable water that we use is for these
  purposes. This makes grey water an attractive
  alternative for water uses such as irrigation and
  toilet flushing.
• Benefits
• The ability to reuse water from our sinks,
  showers and laundry facilities as toilet water,
  in irrigation and in closed loop systems such as
  HVACR can make a serious impact on the amount
  of water that is being used as well as limit the
  amount spent on water and sewer costs. Ease of
  use is major benefit of grey water use. Once
  the system is installed it acts without the user
  having to interact with it. The facility is
  plumbed to feed the areas that can use grey
  water to do so and those that cannot are plumbed
  for potable water. There should be periodic
  checks on the filtration system and cistern but
  that would most likely be done by a
  professional, similar to a service contract on a
  mechanical system.
• Concerns
• Cost of Implementing a grey water recycling
  system. While this may not be an overly
  excessive cost in new construction, it is a
  concern in existing structures. The ROI should
  be closely examined to determine if this is a
  feasible option. Local codes should also be
  referred to in order to confirm that this is a
  legal option.

• LowFlow Fixtures
• The use of lowflow fixtures can make a
  significant impact on the amount of water that a
  facility uses. This area is not limited to
  commodes and urinals. The simple act of
  exchanging out a shower head or aerator on a
  lavatory can make an impact.
• Benefits
• For household use low-flow showerheads and
  aerators can make a larger impact than low-flow
  toilets. We all shower and wash in our homes but
  for many the amount of time that we are not at
  home limits the use of our toilets. At 1.6 gpf
  for a toilet and 2.5 gpm for a shower head it is
  easy to see where more water is used. There are
  also options such as foot pedals to control sinks
  and vacuum assisted commodes. Foot pedals allow
  water to be turned off when it is not needed
  without having to touch the hand controls. This
  is a consideration for locations like kitchens in
  residential application or ideal in hospitals
  where sanitation is imperative. The vacuum
  assisted commode systems are already starting to
  be used in hospitals.
• Concerns
• Commercial facilities should look at the
  concerns with drainline carry of wastes before
  spending the money on low-flow commodes.

• Rain Water Reclaimation
• Similar to grey water, rain water can be used in
  place of potable water in all areas except for
  drinking , food prep and cleaning.
• Benefits
• The benefits of rain water use are the same as
  those for grey water with one exception, in most
  areas, with the appropriate roofing material,
  rain water can be as clean if not cleaner that
  municipal water.
• Concerns
• The concerns are the same as for grey water.

Low-Flow faucet in Union at University of North
Carolina
Breakdown of US Urban Water Uses
http//sustainability.unc.edu/Water/Conservationan
dEfficiency/LowFlowFixtures/tabid/87/Default.aspx
References Green Guide for Healthcare (20Anon
(2004). Grey water recycling device for re-use.
Jour. Filtration and Separation, 41(5), 18.
Leggett, D. J., Brown, R., Stanfield, G.,
Brewer, D., Holliday, E. (2001). Rainwater and
greywater use in buildings decision - making
for water conservation. London CIRIA.
Image from www.c2intl.com/waterconservation
Professor Kirk Alter Research Assistant
Russell Kahn