Comments on: Innovate on DontFlush.Me http://1000arms.org/blog/?p=373 alternative energy, energy conservation, and energy efficiency is revolutionary! Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:09:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Meret http://1000arms.org/blog/?p=373#comment-22 Meret Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:09:58 +0000 http://1000arms.org/blog/?p=373#comment-22 From the same linked document about municipal water charges, a couple of more relevant facts: 1) among all kinds of YEARLY flat fees per building (you pay per every unit, floor, etc. over 1), there's one fee where you pay per toilet, and they make a difference between -Ultra low flow toilet, as approved by the Commissioner. $30.40 -All other fixtures. $66.52 So the building saves $30/year/toilet if they go to UTLRA low flow (don't know if that's 1.6 gal or not. 2) To calculate the waste water rates, see this:"The wastewater charge for any property supplied with water from the Water Supply System is ... 159%...of the charges for water supplied to that property from the system, including any surcharges, unless otherwise provided in this Rate Schedule." So you the clean water supply cost and multiply by 1.59. Voila! That is only for buildings supplied with city water, not well or river water, and parking lots (that's another interesting issue--permeable surfaces can GREATLY reduce storm water run-off, but that;s for another nerdy session). Ok, I'll be quiet now. From the same linked document about municipal water charges, a couple of more relevant facts:

1) among all kinds of YEARLY flat fees per building (you pay per every unit, floor, etc. over 1), there’s one fee where you pay per toilet, and they make a difference between
-Ultra low flow toilet, as approved by the Commissioner. $30.40
-All other fixtures. $66.52
So the building saves $30/year/toilet if they go to UTLRA low flow (don’t know if that’s 1.6 gal or not.

2) To calculate the waste water rates, see this:”The wastewater charge for any property supplied with water from the Water Supply System is … 159%…of the charges for water supplied to that property from the system, including any surcharges, unless otherwise provided in this Rate Schedule.” So you the clean water supply cost and multiply by 1.59. Voila!
That is only for buildings supplied with city water, not well or river water, and parking lots (that’s another interesting issue–permeable surfaces can GREATLY reduce storm water run-off, but that;s for another nerdy session).

Ok, I’ll be quiet now.

]]> By: Meret http://1000arms.org/blog/?p=373#comment-21 Meret Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:08:47 +0000 http://1000arms.org/blog/?p=373#comment-21 On a lighter note, I just read about a plumber who is a member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Toilet Adjustability Committee. Yep. Those are the guys who know how to adjust a toilet from 1.6 to 1.65 gallons. On a lighter note, I just read about a plumber who is a member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Toilet Adjustability Committee.
Yep. Those are the guys who know how to adjust a toilet from 1.6 to 1.65 gallons.

]]> By: Meret http://1000arms.org/blog/?p=373#comment-20 Meret Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:05:01 +0000 http://1000arms.org/blog/?p=373#comment-20 As requested by you, here are a couple of comments that might help: 1) The cost of clean/tap water is $3.17 per one hundred cu.ft. (1 cu.ft = ±7.48gal) as of July 2011: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycwaterboard/pdf/rates/fy2012_rates.pdf But, the minimum charge for service is $0.43 per day per water meter within a Bill Period. So for very small buildings, this might factor in 9haven't run any calcs). 2) there is no difference in terms of installation between 5 (or 3.5) and 1.6 gallon toilets--it's the tank size, not the waste pipe size. 3) unless they are taller than 6 stories (I think), buildings do not pump water up to any floors but instead rely on city water pressure. Therefore, calculating the cost of pumping certain amounts of water up certain numbers of floors depends on how many total floors there are and who's paying for it. 4) I'm surprised at the AVERAGE of 5gal/flush in NYC, but what do i know. 5) When you ask about cost "for a gallon of black water" do you mean for the waste removal? Cause you certainly can't buy black water. And grey water systems might not be legal in tenant-occupied buildings (not sure, does anyone know?) Cheers, meret As requested by you, here are a couple of comments that might help:

1) The cost of clean/tap water is $3.17 per one hundred cu.ft. (1 cu.ft = ±7.48gal) as of July 2011:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycwaterboard/pdf/rates/fy2012_rates.pdf
But, the minimum charge for service is $0.43 per day per water meter within a Bill Period. So for very small buildings, this might factor in 9haven’t run any calcs).

2) there is no difference in terms of installation between 5 (or 3.5) and 1.6 gallon toilets–it’s the tank size, not the waste pipe size.

3) unless they are taller than 6 stories (I think), buildings do not pump water up to any floors but instead rely on city water pressure. Therefore, calculating the cost of pumping certain amounts of water up certain numbers of floors depends on how many total floors there are and who’s paying for it.

4) I’m surprised at the AVERAGE of 5gal/flush in NYC, but what do i know.

5) When you ask about cost “for a gallon of black water” do you mean for the waste removal? Cause you certainly can’t buy black water. And grey water systems might not be legal in tenant-occupied buildings (not sure, does anyone know?)

Cheers,
meret

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