16851_Authority_Aug_2023

municipalauthorities.org | 37 About the Author Paul Gagliardo has over 25 years experience in the water utility business. He created and operated a water technology research center at the city of San Diego and directed the Innovation Program at American Water for nine years. Paul has been a judge and advisor for ImagineH2O for the past ten years. Currently he is an independent consultant providing advice to firms interested in the municipal water business, and hosts his own podcast, The Water Entrepreneur on all major platforms and www.thewaterentrepreneur.org. He is a registered engineer in California and has a Masters’ degree in Public Health. Among the many products we take for granted on a daily basis, toilet paper is at (or very near) the top of that list. From stopping a bloody nose to squishing unwanted pests to the more obvious applications, the quiet hero plays a vital role in our daily lives. That unassuming nature is exactly why we wanted to shed some light on its usage across the U.S. We surveyed over 3,000 people to unravel the average American’s toilet paper habits and get to the bottom of how we use it and how much we use it. Based on survey responses, we were able to estimate how much toilet paper is being flushed down the drain by people in every state weekly, monthly, annually, and over the course of a lifetime. We were also able to estimate toilet paper costs over the same time periods. Toilet Paper Usage in the U.S. We've rolled out the numbers to reveal just how much toilet paper Americans use, and the results are eye-opening. According to our Ulti- mate Toilet Paper Survey, the average American uses just under a mile of month was $12,500 at the beginning of August. Based on a 16% reduction in flow a savings of $2,030 was realized. This equates to an average savings of $2,760 per month, or, $33,120 per year. These metrics show how the ASTERRA program can provide value to small rural utilities. NRW was reduced significantly. Additional surveys will further reduce the NRW and real water loss levels to industry standard. SDE is promoting this technology to be used as a proactive tool for the Authority’s leak detection program. SDE and KTMA have teamed up to create a cost-sharing cooperative with surrounding public water suppliers to take advantage of the large area the satellite image can capture in one pass (approx. 20 east/west by 25 miles north/south). By using a cost sharing approach, rural water suppliers with tight budgets can truly use this technology as a proactive tool on an annual or semi-annual basis and not break the bank. S toilet paper annually. That's enough to stretch the length of 14 football fields! Which States Use theMost Toilet Paper? In a country where toilet paper flies off the shelves during times of stress, it’s obvious that Americans see the value in it, but which states are the biggest fans? Regarding sheer volume, Pennsylva- nia, Mississippi, and Michigan lead the country in toilet paper usage, with individual residents flushing enough annually to stretch over two-thirds the length of the golden gate bridge. The Toilet Paper Habits of Americans In the eternal debate about over or under toilet paper roll hanging, a resounding 73.4% of Americans stand firmly on the “over” side. Closing Thoughts Whether you most appreciate toilet paper for its convenience or versa- tility, it's undeniable that bathroom tissue is an essential part of American life. From usage habits to roll place- ment and everything in between, our survey reveals Americans are bound together in unwavering devotion to the humble bathroom staple that's always hanging out in the background, waiting for its moment to shine. For the full survey, published May 11, 2023, visit Mr. Rooter Plumbing at www. mrrooter.com/about/blog/2023/may/ the-ultimate-toilet-paper-survey.