Federal Green Challenge
Federal Green Challenge - Water
On this page:
Federal Green Challenge Water Goals
Relative to your baseline:
- Reduce the amount of water consumed by 5% or more annually.
Reducing Your Water Footprint
Restrooms/Bathrooms
- Water Sense - An EPA Partnership Program
- Install high-efficiency toilets, aerators, shower heads, and other water fixtures
- Encourage users to reduce their water usage
- Detect and repair leaks
Landscaping
- Use native plants to reduce water and pesticide usage
- Adjust sprinkler heads to ensure that plants are being watered, not pavement
- Use drip irrigation instead of conventional watering
- Water during the early hours or evening to reduce evaporation
- Install rain or moisture sensors to turn the irrigation systems off when rainfall occurs
Executive Order 13514
Improve water efficiency and management by:
- Reducing potable water consumption intensity 2% annually through FY 2020, or 26% by the end of FY2020, relative to FY2007 baseline;
- Reducing agency industrial, landscaping, and agricultural water consumption 2% annually, or 20% by end of FY2020, relative to a 2010 baseline;
- Identifying, promoting, and implementing water reuse strategies consistent with state law that reduce potable water consumption; and
- Implementing and achieving objectives identified in the stormwater management guidance issued by EPA.
- Learn more about Executive Order 13514
Executive Order 13423
Beginning in FY 2008, reduce water consumption intensity relative to the baseline of the agency’s water consumption in FY2007, through lifecycle cost-effective measures by:
- 2% annually through the end of FY2015; or
- 16% by the end of FY2015
- Learn more about Executive Order 13423 (PDF) (5 pp, 139K)
Other
- Sweep parking areas rather than hosing them
- Install submeters to measure water use by subprocess or specific pieces of equipment
- Switch from potable to nonpotable water for applications that do not require potable water
Measurement
- Energy Star Portfolio Manager - you can track your water use
Recognition
Case Studies
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Ames Research Center (ARC) partnered with the City of Sunnyvale to reduce potable water consumption and reuse more water on site. The project included a reclaimed water system, a native plant garden restoration initiative, and an aggressive education program. The combined results of the overall effort decreased ARC’s potable water consumption by 80 million gallons and saved $404,000 in FY2009. NASA's Environmental Sustainability Report, 2009 (PDF). (21 pp, 3.4MB)
- The Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center (PVAMC) commissioned the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) to conduct a detailed water audit of the Medical Center. The resulting water conservation measures generated a 9.2% reduction in water use, or 1,643,200 gallons of water saved and more than $19,000 in annual cost savings. More information
More case studies and best management practices, visit the Federal Energy Management Program website.