Great water saver!!

**greekislandgirl** · 05-23-2011, 03:22 AM

So I had this GREAT idea and was so proud of myself until I googled it and it already exists! For those of us who wash dishes in the sink (no dishwasher), foot pedals to operate the tap in the sink would allow you to ONLY have the water on when you really needed it. Since I constantly turn the water on and off while washing dishes (never leave it running when not needed, but hard with only two hands!) I thought this would save a TON of water, and in fact it seems that it does. It would also be great in a bathroom for hand-washing, toothbrushing, etc.

The ones they sell online are really expensive but I found a few sites where they explain how to do it yourself and it seems to be MUCH less expensive (about $50 per sink, I suppose).

Save Water! Kitchen Faucet with Foot Pedal

I want one of these so badly but will probably have to wait until we have our own house - not sure how this would work for a rental!

**jlaporte** · 05-23-2011, 10:55 AM

Sounds like a good idea! I can picture it and how it can save! Not just water but electric too and that equals$$$

**Debbie-cat** · 05-23-2011, 11:05 AM

That looks like a great idea. It is so difficult with only two hands...especially rinsing ...that's where I waste alot of water.

**acidcookie** · 05-23-2011, 02:02 PM

That's a great idea! Reminds me of the fountain sink we had in our middle school bathroom that was operated by foot. Anyone else have that??

**Libby** · 05-23-2011, 02:18 PM

acid cookie - I remember those! My school had something like this one but it was a full round circle vs the half circle shown here. It was placed in the middle of the girls washroom. The soap dispenser was mounted on top and the stream of water was several very fine streams vs one regular one.

**acidcookie** · 05-23-2011, 02:44 PM

Libby, yeah that's exactly how ours was: like that but whole and in the middle! haha

**greekislandgirl** · 05-23-2011, 03:33 PM

We had that too!! I completely forgot about it until you mentioned it, but it makes you wonder why these things aren't more widespread!

**ErikM02** · 05-23-2011, 03:36 PM

Most of the dishwashers today are actually a lot more efficient than washing dishes by hand

**Libby** · 05-23-2011, 05:56 PM

greekislandgirl - I have no idea why they abolished those - numerous persons could wash their hands at the same time vs traditional style sinks. Maybe it wasn't as easy to 'maintain' if need be?

**Spirit Deer** · 05-24-2011, 12:35 AM

Don't you have a double sink? I know your apt. is smallish. If you have a single sink, is there room to use a plastic dishpan for rinsing? I do that in our camper which only has a single bowl. That would save a ton more water than using the faucet to rinse each dish. Just a thought.

**Palooka** · 05-24-2011, 12:52 AM

Libby, haha my grade school had those too.

**teagan911** · 05-24-2011, 08:03 AM

I saw those at our dentist and thought it was brilliant!

**mndtrp** · 05-25-2011, 03:27 AM

It's a good idea, and looks relatively easy to implement. Check the comments, there is at least one other option.

This makes me want to install the motion sensor type when we have kids. I know I left the water running far too long when I was a child.