Anyone can thoroughly wash and rinse their hands using as little as 2 oz. of
water, and to the highest standards set forth by the CDC for both technique/method as well as the 20 seconds minimal time recommended.
When residential and commercial water is wasted, it wastes Electricity and/or Fossil Fuels!
Here is a
video where my wife used a spray bottle while I washed and rinsed my hands,
to simulate the type of flow required to conserve water, and simulate the benefit of hands free:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaETcqLpvWk&t=134s
All you need to do this is have the water delivered in a reduced flow with an ultra-fine spray, such as how liquids are dispensed from a hand-held plastic spray bottle set to wide spray . . . and
not have the water running while you are actually doing the washing.
Water is only needed to initiate the handwashing process by enabling you to lather up your hands. It is not needed during the thorough hand washing process itself, only after washing, to thoroughly rinse all of the
soap from your hands.
I know that sensor activated faucets are becoming more common and widespread, even now in residential applications, but we also need some manual methods that provide a hands-free method of turning faucet water on and off quickly and easily. I believe some kind of foot pedal, similar to what used to be found in hospitals, would be ideal . . . anything that provides a fast and easy way to turn the water on and off without touching the faucet handles with your clean hands. There are numerous foot or knee operated controls available online, here is one:
https://www.amazon.com/Floor-Mount-Single-Operated-Faucet/dp/B0BPSSNNDS/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=foot+operated+faucet&qid=1687184534&sr=8-4 The more common place this became, the lower the cost
should be.
Btw, hands fee is essential for two reasons: First of all, most people do not want to be inconvenienced with having to turn the water on and off more than once. A foot operated (or sensor activated) faucet would diminish or take away that inconvenience. The second and arguably most important reason by far is that faucet handles have residue from whatever was on anyone’s hands prior to them being washed. That includes all of those that turn a faucet on shortly after wiping themselves . . . think about it, and imagine worst case scenario. You do not want to touch a faucet after washing your hands, ever!
Btw, I also plan on posting on how to conserve both water, and
energy to heat water in a future post, but that is a slightly more complicated topic.