This study was conducted to find practical means of waste flow reduction or waste treatment for the ordinary household. Present water quality and quantity requirements were reviewed to determine the areas where better water and waste management would be most beneficial. Homeowners, plumbers, architect-engineers, and equipment manufacturers were surveyed to obtain representative opinions from the people who would control the use of any flow reduction or treatment schemes. The results of the study and the consumer survey show that the water used in household functions such as bathing and toilet flushing can be substantially reduced by the use of more efficient appliances and plumbing devices. The use of most advanced waste treatment techniques and the reuse of waste waters is not considered practical except for cases of unusual problems and extremely high water or waste disposal costs.

Written for the Bureau of Solid Waste Management under contract no. PH 86-67-114 with Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, Mo.