The first water efficiency standards in the US for new toilets, urinals and faucets have been fast-tracked by California officials as the state faces its worst drought in a century, Reuters reports.
The new standards are expected to save 8.2 billion gallons of water in the first year after they go into effect in 2016.
The regulations would require toilets use no more than 1.28 gallons per flush, down from the current limit of 1.6 gallons. Urinal flushes would be cut half, from one gallon to one-half gallon. Lavatory faucets would be capped at 1.5 gallons per minute. The current maximum allowed is 2.2 gallons per minute.
Besides conserving water an estimated 25 million therms of natural gas would be saved. The draft proposal is currently open for public comment. The standards are expected to take effect on January 1, 2016.
