In the United States, Americans consume 3.7 billion gallons of water every year that are not replaced, leaving a huge water deficit - a result of growing demand on finite water supplies. In fact, at least 36 states are anticipating local, regional or statewide water shortages within the next five years.

Everyone has the power to change the water equation in the United States and put more money in their own pockets, while helping hydrate the planet. According to water-savings expert Tommy Linstroth, every homeowner can take three easy steps to help erase the water deficit by switching to WaterSense labeled toilets, showerheads and faucets.

Atlanta homeowner Peg Grady recently accepted this challenge, replacing three water-guzzling toilets with newer conserving models and installing low-flow showerheads and faucets in place of older ones in all three of her home's bathrooms. All the new plumbing products were manufactured by American Standard Brands.

While happy to do her part by greening her lifestyle, Grady is thrilled with the unexpected retrofit benefits - monthly water bills reduced by half and a happier family, thrilled with the performance of the new plumbing products.

"We should have done this years ago," says Grady. "We're saving money every month, and we absolutely love our new fixtures. The showerheads seem to have better water pressure, and we have been pleased and surprised with how well the toilets flush. In the past, we've had to pull the plunger out on more than one occasion. Since we've had our new toilets, we've been plunger-free."

Satisfied consumers save water without sacrificing comfort

Grady was one of 21 suburban Atlanta families that volunteered to swap their existing plumbing products for high-efficiency, WaterSense-certified models. This mass retrofit replaced 71 toilets, 96 faucets and 55 showerheads in 71 bathrooms.

American Standard provided products and funding for this first-of-its-kind makeover: the results showed at least 25 percent in overall water savings. The water and money saved by the homeowners from the Serenbe community in Chattahoochee Hills, Ga., and from the Chastain Lakes neighborhood in Kennesaw, Ga., demonstrates the simple steps every person can take to conserve this precious resource.

"We want to convince homeowners, building professionals and legislators that water conservation doesn't mean sacrifice and can mean real savings," says Linstroth, a principal at Savannah, Ga.-based Trident Sustainability Group. Linstroth documented at least a 20 percent collective savings in overall water usage at Serenbe, a savings that has remained consistent over two months. At Chastain Lakes, an older suburb built more than 20 years ago, Linstroth documented at least a 25 percent savings from the retrofit.

"As product technology has advanced, performance and satisfaction have advanced right along with it," says Jeannette Long, general manager for e-commerce with American Standard. "If we can encourage more home owners to feel confident with water-saving products, it will go a long way toward easing the drinking-water burden."

Plumber Nick Marine (Marine Plumbing of Marietta, Ga.), who handled the new-product installation at Serenbe and Chastain Lakes, counsels every homeowner to investigate ways to save water and money. To learn what you can do - and how much you can save - go to www.responsiblebathroom.com/inspiration/calculator Marine also recommends checking with your local water utility; many offer rebates that offset the product investment.

For more information about American Standard's water-efficiency products and Water Savings Calculator, visit www.responsiblebathroom.com

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