Thanks Dadoes. I am pretty math-y so I wonder why I didn't think to do the math myself first! I would typically be concerned about filling a two gallon(8 quart) pot at most so I guess the difference would be 14 seconds. Not huge, so I think I could live with it. I just hope it would not feel weak for washing dishes, etc. I guess that's where things are headed, though, if not already there. Too bad we get no choice in this because we really are environmentally conscious and pretty careful about water usage despite the fact that we don't pay for it directly (our apartments are not metered separately).

On a day to day basis, I much prefer a one handle faucet. Before I changed my countertops I noticed my sister's sink had a lot of water around the faucet - and running down the island countertop (her sink is in her island.) She now keeps a small towel there to catch the water, but this water comes from her wet hands turning the water on an off. She actually has a single handle, but I figured it would be twice as bad with two. I have my handle positioned over the sink so drips fall into the sink. https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~58831076 This doesn't address your parts issue, but my faucet was very heavy and my plumber thought it was a good faucet. Several years ago my kitchen faucet died, and I bought a home center Delta to get me by for a while. The faucet looked sad after a year - the faux chrome peeling off. Surprisingly, the faucet, even with the plastic parts, lasted many years till I could change out my counters. It wasn't great, but it worked, did not drip or leak. I am not recommending plastic parts by any means, but a good name brand bought at a plumb supply shop or ordered through a reputable online company should last many years. (Some name brands like Delta also make "home center price faucets" and these are mostly plastic and not recommended.) Generally, there is a standard width from faucet to handle which makes replacing faucets easier - but I agree, a single handle is a safe way to go. I do really like my bathroom delta faucets - most over 15 years old. However, my Delta replacement cartridges, which are easy to change out, have not lasted as long as the original cartridges.

@mama goose_gw zn6OH Thanks for that input! My original pictures are showing up now, and so is your comment which didn't register in my notifications for about 5 hours. The Houzz website acts strangely sometimes, I've noticed. You probably fabricated your countertop yourself, right? I remember the story of your renovation and admire your fortitude. @joseph_corlett Beautiful work, and your customers today must be so thrilled. No, I would never have guessed the faucet is off center, looks great! That's helpful to know I could reduce the flange connection under the conditions you stated. I hadn't thought to do differing reveals on sides versus back, so I really appreciate that idea from you and @mama goose_gw zn6OH. A second ledge helps separate accessories from one another so you can slide them individually, for instance, moving the strainer without disturbing the cutting board on top. It also allows a cutting board on top of another for different tasks. Still, one ledge is certainly better than none if you want the workstation sink concept. I will give this some thought and want to thank you for taking time to reply here and in so many threads that have been extraordinarily useful to me in my renovation. Thanks!

"fused together" sounds bad. Maybe you need to start by replacing the shutoff valves? (I've found, more often than not, in old houses the shutoff valves are corroded and no longer functional. I just assume now tthey will need replacing and am pleasantly surprised when that turns out not to be the case.)