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The efficiency of a drinking fountain
Applied Ergonomics
|June 1, 1978
Summary
This study found water drinking fountains are inefficient. Intermediate spout sizes and moderate flow rates optimize water consumption and reduce waste, unlike extreme settings.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Fluid Dynamics
- Water Resource Management
Background:
- Water drinking fountains are common in public spaces.
- Assessing the efficiency of water delivery systems is crucial for resource conservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficiency of water drinking fountains.
- To determine the impact of spout diameter and water pressure on fountain efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Investigated water consumption efficiency based on water flow, drinking time, and energy use.
- Tested four spout diameters with two water trajectory heights each, creating eight flow rates.
- Quantified efficiency using metrics like water consumed per user and electricity for cooling.
Main Results:
- Water drinking fountains were found to be highly inefficient.
- Extreme flow rates significantly decreased system efficiency.
- Intermediate spout nozzle diameters demonstrated superior performance across all efficiency metrics.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing spout diameter and flow rate is key to improving water fountain efficiency.
- Reducing water waste in public drinking fountains is achievable through design adjustments.