The plumbing of a house plays a critically important role in conserving water and reducing utility bills, quite aside from any role it may play in preserving the environment. Traditional plumbing systems are often designed in ways that contribute to waste. For instance, a single
standard bathroom faucet can easily waste 4 to 8 gallons of water every day, just
and down the drain. And that is not counting the water wasted from fixtures that are getting ready to wear out—and when a faucet starts leaking, it is very likely that the fixture is
past its prime.
And when you think of all the bathrooms in all the houses and all multistorey structures in the world, and then think about all the deaths that have occurred over the centuries—believe me, when I say that it is a hazardous life, this is one of the many ways it has been made hazardous.
Installing eco-friendly plumbing in your home or business not only benefits the environment but also leads to significant cost savings in the long run.
The initial investment in water-efficient plumbing fixtures and appliances may be higher than plumbing installations that use standard technology, but the money you save on your water utility bills will more than make up for the difference.
In addition, many of the financially advantageous green technologies come with tax incentives and rebates that local, state, and federal governments offer to encourage homeowners and businesses to adopt plumbing solutions that are kind to the environment.
Even if local governments don't provide such incentives, the reduced wear and tear that plumbing systems using efficient technologies impose on our water treatment facilities could, in theory, reduce the amount of local taxes and fees that homeowners and businesses pay.
In addition to providing financial and environmental returns, eco-friendly plumbing boosts the quality and safety of water used in homes and businesses. In contrast to traditional plumbing, which can involve dangerous amounts of lead, eco-friendly systems are safer. They use PVC, which is made with safe methods, or they use metal pipes that don't corrode. The plumbing in "Plumbed", an off-grid tiny house in Miami, has been designed to show the public some innovative ways of using water without destroying the environment or endangering the citizens who live in it.