EcoGeek

Showerhead with automatic shutoff



When you live in Australia, droughts are very real, and water conservation is a part of life. One Australian recently came up with a household invention to help reduce the amount of water being used in the shower. The device, called the Aqualim (presumably the “lim” refers to “elimination” of water waste, or possibly “limit”), rations out a certain quantity of water per shower. After the quantity is used, the shower reduces its flow as a warning and soon afterwards shuts off.

Thus, if you say to yourself, “I want to get my water usage under X gallons”, the Aqualim makes it extremely easy to do so without constantly worrying if you’ve gone over. Of course -- as is the case with many self-control devices -- if you’re the kind of person who’s sensitive enough to buy an Aqualim, you are probably more water-conscious than most people already. Also, there is a reset button; if you really want a longer shower you can just hit it.

But the device does address the tendency people have to linger in the shower after they’ve already washed up. Even someone who truly does not want to waste water might lose track of time, or simply not shut off the shower because hey, it feels nice in here and it’s pretty early in the morning.

That’s why I’m going to vote in favor of this device. Think of it as an alarm clock for the shower. If we had to rely on our own will power to wake up in the morning, we’d all be late for work (bloggers excluded). Plus, the Aqualim could work synergistically with a low-flow showerhead to reduce water usage even further.

Via Inhabitat

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comments from our community

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  • Posted by themommytree Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:24pm PDT
    What an incredibly brilliant device. I wonder if it would work in the US! I could really use this with my kids. Here is a link to www.Greenwala.com where they have a fantastic article on water conservation throughout your entire house. http://www.greenwala.com/community/blogs/all/403-How-to-Design-for-Indoor-Water-Efficiency?f=true
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  • Posted by Reiberry Sat May 2, 2009 12:33pm PDT
    Wow! That's a cool device! i want to buy one!
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  • Posted by Siobahn Fri May 15, 2009 6:13pm PDT
    Wow I love this. I feel really guilty about using water especially in the shower. I tried using a timer but I just stay in and turn it off. This could help establish a systematic routine so that you can keep your showers under a certain time limit. Where do I get one?
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  • Posted by Elsa Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:06pm PDT
    This is a brillant device, do we have it here in the USA yet? I will sure keep the cost down on my water bill where my daughter is concern
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  • Posted by Diana Thu Aug 27, 2009 1:34am PDT
    i really love this idea this great i time myself to 5 min showers so this would be great for me is it on the market yet in the usa. great work diana
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