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Recently, a Water – Use It Wisely follower, Izhak, sent in the following question:

I would like to install a water pressure reducing valve. Do you have a recommendation for the Make, Type and what the pressure in the house should be?

We posed the question to our Arizona Regional Campaign Partners, and here’s what they have to say:

A pressure reducing valve, (PRV) is a great way to protect the plumbing in your home if you live in a high water pressure zone. We at Water – Use It Wisely also support the use of a PRV because if can also help to save water. Lower pressure means less water coming out of fixtures for one thing but it may also protect your plumbing from damage or breaks causing wasteful leaks.

There are many brands available but the design is pretty common to all. They are typically a diaphragm controlled valve. Look for a high quality product from one of the American manufacturers that have American Water Works Association and / or U.L. approval ratings indicated. These valves are not a maintenance free device and over time the rubber parts will start to deteriorate and will need to be replaced, so look for a product for which repair kits are available.

These devices are usually installed where the water service enters the home after the main shut off valve. If you live in an area with freezing temperatures, make sure it is protected. Be sure to buy a device that is the same size as your water service piping and install it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is recommended to consult a licensed, journeyman plumber who can assess the piping in your home and recommend what pressure will be best to use. The pressure settings are usually made with adjustable controls on the outside of the devices.

Many individual cities in some states have offered rebates on PRV’s, but there are stipulations. The water pressure usually must be 65 psi or greater to warrant a PRV. Don’t forget to contact your water provider for more information.

Wondering what simple actions you can take to lead into a greener future?

The City of Mesa’s free “Living Green” workshop series continues Saturday, June 11, from 1:30 – 4 p.m. with Green Gurus: Experts with Great Green Ideas. The program will take place at Mesa Main Library, 64 E. First St. Learn about green building, energy and water conservation, green household products, solar, Xeriscape landscaping and more. Panelists include Stacy Wilde, Sustainability Consultant, Phil Allsopp, Chairman at the Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce, Mick Dalrymple, ASU project manager for the Energize Phoenix program, and Donna DiFrancesco, Horticulturist and Conservation Specialist at the City of Mesa.

The City of Mesa presents the monthly workshop series featuring earth-friendly advice for your home and garden. The aim of the series is to inform community members about why and how to increase the sustainability of our community, and is part of a larger effort by the City to develop and implement innovative programs to address environmental issues and concerns.

To learn more about this program or other Living Green workshops, visit our site or call (480) 644-4400 for more information.

Mesa is one of fifteen Water – Use It Wisely regional partners, many of whom offer water-wise workshops. Check out all of the partner programs at the Water – Use It Wisely calendar on our home page.

Have you ever wondered how much water is being wasted in your home? Even when running the faucet, doing laundry or using the shower, many gallons of water are being poured down the drain. As a supporter of using water wisely, you can help cut down on that usage by installing low water-use fixtures and appliances.

eLocalPlumbers contacted us recently to share an infographic that shows statistics in US residential water use. This infographic was created as part of a larger, ongoing series in which they poll industry leaders on topics relevant to homeowners, and aggregate their answers into informative articles for homeowners and consumers. They have a panel of over 80 experts, including contributors from KOHLER, HGTV, Mr. Rooter, and Mother Earth News.

Here’s what they have to say about water usage in the home: