LGA Studios learned more about the reasons and methods for water conservation from Matt Bakken, at a USGBC Colorado educational session. Some key points:
Increased water efficiency will be required by both global shortages and impending codes.
Watersense is a voluntary program sponsored by the US EPA, which promotes a cap on the flow of household plumbing devices like shower heads and toilets. You can purchase Watersense certified products for your home to save water.
The presentation was created by Kohler, so their high-efficiency urinal (offering 80% water savings compared to standard 1.0-gpf urinals) was used as an innovative example of a solution to water overuse. Southern Methodist University installed these urinals, and saw 8.1 million gallons of annual water savings. That came out to a cost reduction of $102 per urinal!
On a related note, Kohler also produces cast iron sinks, baths, and shower bases made from 93% recycled material; yet unlike with recycled paper, the sinks look completely fresh. Follow this link for more information.