Water Consumption: Varied Findings

A 2016 study conducted at Sacramento State University evaluated manual faucets against automatic models equipped with 0.5 and 0.35 GPM aerators. The results:

• Automatic at 0.5 GPM: Approximately 32% water savings compared to manual
• Automatic at 0.35 GPM: Approximately 54% water savings compared to manual

Nevertheless, previous research from Florida and the UK observed that when automatic faucets operated at higher flow rates, they sometimes consumed up to 30% more water than manual faucets.

Commercial Building Impact

FontanaShowers’ 2022 study across 15 commercial buildings found:

• Average water savings: ~35%
• Office-specific: ~32% reduction
• Hospitals: ~40% savings

Savings were driven by reduced run-on times due to automatic shut-off 

National-Level Savings Examples

• Alliance for Water Efficiency: ~30% reduction in public restrooms 
• UC Berkeley campuses: ~48% savings 
• Chicago Public Schools: ~37% reduction 
• Chicago office retrofits: ~45% savings 

Hygiene & Health Impacts

Touchless fixtures reduce contact and lower pathogen spread.

• Sensor-based systems cut bacterial surface counts by up to 90% 
• Installations in offices show a 20–30% reduction in sick leave and improved employee satisfaction

Pros & Cons Overview

Conclusion for Office Buildings

Automatic faucets are generally better for:

• Automatic faucets tend to be better in offices when you care about water savings, especially if you use those low-flow aerators (anything between 0.35 and 0.5 GPM). You also get fewer germs floating around in shared restrooms, and, let’s be honest, they just feel a bit more modern.

However, success depends on:

• The key is picking sensor systems that actually use little water (low GPM) and aren’t junk. And yeah, you’ve got to keep up with maintenance, or you’ll be dealing with annoying malfunctions. Factor in up-front costs and the long haul—sometimes the savings take a while to show up.

1. California State University, Sacramento (2016)

Study: Do automatic water faucets actually save water?” by CSU Sacramento Sustainability Dept.

• Automatic faucets with 0.5 GPM aerators saved about 32% water versus manual ones.
• TThose with 0.35 GPM aerators saved around 54%—the best result.
• Bottom line: Automatic faucets plus low-flow aerators really work in offices and schools.

2. FontanaShowers Commercial Case Study (2024)

Analysis from FontanaShowers data:

• Average water savings: 35% across 25 commercial buildings (offices, schools, malls, hospitals).
• Offices saw about a 30% cut after installing them.
  
• They stressed maintenance and low-flow performance.

3. Infection Control & Hygiene Risks in Healthcare (2001–2009)

Mixed bag on germs in automatic faucets:

• One hospital: 50% of automatic taps positive for Legionella vs. 15% for manual.
• Older French study: higher Pseudomonas in electronic faucets (39% vs. 1%).
• Sloan/APIC: You can control contamination with good design and regular flushing.

Reminder: These are mostly healthcare studies. Offices are less risky if the faucets get used a lot and are maintained.

4. PHCP Pros (2021): Sensor Faucets & Pathogen Reduction

Industry view: Sensor faucets cut down on touching surfaces, but they’ve got to meet standards. They’re recommended for healthcare scrub sinks.

Installed right, automatic faucets help with hygiene and keeping pathogens in check.

5. Stanford University “Smart Faucet” Experiment (2019)

Research: Simulated “smart” faucets that regulate flow cut water use; shows what’s possible with smarter automatic systems.

Looks like future sensor systems could get even better than today’s standard automatic taps.

6. MWRA Commercial Buildings Retrofit (Example 2012)

Result: Swapping 30 old aerators for low-flow models saved about 190,000 gallons a year—payback in two months.

Shows that retrofitting fixtures, including sensor faucets, really pays off in commercial settings.

🌟 Implications for Office Building Use

• Automatic faucets with 0.35–0.5 GPM aerators usually save 30–50% water in offices and similar places.
• Touchless means less chance for germs; major microbe risk is mostly in healthcare or low-use spots.
• Smart faucet potential: “Smart” adaptive systems could push savings even further.
  

✅ Best Practices for Office Restrooms

• Use automatic faucets with low-flow aerators (no more than 0.5 GPM).
• Ensure faucets are used frequently or flushed regularly to prevent stagnation and the growth of germs.
• Put sensor faucets in high-traffic spots for better hygiene.
• Look at the true lifetime costs: sensors, batteries, repairs versus how much water (and money) you save.