Conscious and economical use of (ground)water is extremely important. In many areas of the world, more water is taken from basic resources than is replenished by precipitation. We also need to protect groundwater from pollution. After all, it can take decades or even centuries to recover from contaminants.

The team at E.G.O. Appliance Controls, S.L.U. in Llica de Vall, Spain, has been able to reduce water consumption by 17 % in 2021 compared to 2020 through various measures, such as reusing water in washing machine life-cycle testing and collecting condensation from air conditioning systems. A respectable achievement! BLANCO America Inc., Lumberton, USA, and BLANCO Canada Inc., Toronto, Canada, go far beyond the requirements for product conformity in terms of the flow rates of their mixer taps. In 2021, California enshrined in law that a maximum of 1.8 gallons per minute may flow through kitchen mixer taps (California Plumbing Code, previously 2.2 gallons, 1 gallon = 4.54 liters).

BLANCO is well on its way to consistently reducing the rate even further, to 1.5 gallons per minute – not just in California, but throughout North America. As a result of this strategic decision, two thirds of the tap fitting portfolio has been converted to date. This has resulted in water savings of up to 30 % with consistent quality and performance. It is important to protect water as a resource not only in companies, but also in the private sector. Small steps are a good start!