If you’ve been reading this site for even a couple of months, you probably know that the subject of energy use has been a frequent topic. Today, though, I need to mildly complain about a measure employed more and more frequently in places like office buildings and airports: water conservation. I understand the need for limiting the amount of water coming out of a given faucet, but sometimes this is taken to borderline ridiculous levels. The office building I work in over in Bedford, MA, has taken this to painful new extremes.
It’s one of those deals where you have to press down on the faucet for the water to start running. I swear by the time you get your hands under the spout, you’re lucky if two drops hit it. It turns into this cat-and-mouse game where you press it, then try to move your hands lightening quick. Am I embellishing? OK, maybe just a little. But it truly does feel like you’re playing whack-a-mole with the bathroom faucet sometimes. It’s not really necessary. If they just allow the water to run for, perhaps, 20-25 seconds, that should be sufficient enough for everyone. I understand the idea, but please.
And don’t even get me started on the people who don’t bother washing their hands in a bathroom. Bad news.