Measuring Water Use, Conservation, and Differences by Gender Using an Inexpensive, High Frequency Metering System

This resource contains the final data files and R scripts used in our analysis of water use across two high-traffic, public restrooms on Utah State University's campus. We used an inexpensive, open source, water metering system that uses off-the-shelf electronic components and inexpensive analog meters to measure water use quantity and behavior at high temporal frequency (< 5 s). We demonstrated this technology in the two restrooms at Utah State University before and after installing high efficiency, automatic faucets and toilet flush valves. We also integrated an inexpensive sensor to count user traffic to the restrooms. Sensing and recording restroom visits and water use events at high frequency allowed us to monitor water use behavior and identify water fixture malfunctions, such as undesired leaks. Results also show average water use per person, variability in water use by different fixtures (faucets versus urinals and toilets), variability in water use by fixtures compared to manufacturer specifications, gender differences in water use, and the difference in water use related to retrofit of the restrooms with high efficiency fixtures. The inexpensive metering system can help institutions remotely measure and record water use trends and behavior, identify leaks and fixture malfunctions, and schedule fixture maintenance or upgrades based on their operation, all of which can ultimately help them meet goals for sustainable water use.

本资源包含了我们在犹他州立大学校园内两个高流量公共洗手间进行用水分析所使用的最终数据文件和R脚本。我们采用了一种经济实惠、开源的水表计量系统，该系统利用现成的电子元件和低成本模拟仪表，以高时间频率（< 5秒）测量用水量和用水行为。我们在犹他州立大学的两个洗手间中展示了这项技术，并在安装高效自动水龙头和冲厕阀前后进行了测试。此外，我们还集成了一种低成本传感器来计数洗手间的用户流量。通过高频次感知和记录洗手间访问和用水事件，我们得以监控用水行为并识别水龙头故障，如不希望的泄漏。结果还显示了人均用水量、不同水龙头（水龙头与小便器及马桶）的用水量变化、与制造商规格相比的水龙头用水量变化、性别在用水量上的差异，以及与洗手间改造为高效水龙头的用水量差异。这种低成本计量系统可以帮助机构远程测量和记录用水趋势和行为，识别泄漏和水龙头故障，并根据其运行情况安排水龙头维护或升级，所有这些最终都有助于他们实现可持续用水的目标。