 The 3TD approach to water saving
Most people will have experienced going to a home and turning on the kitchen tap only to be blasted by a jet of water. The system is delivering too much water-flow! The result of excess water flow is water waste. Turning the meter stop-tap down a few turns is a simple and cost-free way of reducing excessive water flow.
What we regard as a "normal" and adequate water supply is fairly flexible - it depends upon what we are used to. 3TD is a way of becoming used to lower water flows and redefining our notion of "excessive water flow". Over a period of several years the 3TD approach changed our water habits and reduced our household water consumption from over 500 litres per day to less than 200 litres per day. Using less hot water means that we also use less energy heating hot water. Water and heating bills have dropped proportionately.
3TD is a voluntary way for residents to gradually change their household water-using behaviour without cost or inconvenience, simply by turning the metre stop down half a turn each week, until they arrive at a water flow level that best balances their desire for water efficiency and their desire for a convenient supply of water.
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