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EPA's Water Management Plans
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Water management plans (WMPs) help individual facilities set long- and short-term water conservation goals. EPA currently has 25 signed WMPs that cover 27 facilities.
Also, see EPA’s water conservation progress at these and other facilities.
Cincinnati, Ohio, Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center (AWBERC) (PDF) (28 pp., 589K, About PDF).
AWBERC's WMP, updated in FY 2009, includes evaluation of the Child Care facility, which opened in FY 2006. To reduce water consumption, the facility retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm, installed high-efficiency showerheads, and implemented processes and mechanical systems that significantly reduce the use of single-pass cooling. The facility is in the process of retrofitting restrooms with high-efficiency, dual-flush toilets and high-efficiency urinals and installing water conservation kits for steam sterilizer trap cooling. It plans to discontinue single-pass cooling in the cold water booster pump and replace vacuum pump with a dry system. AWBERC's first water management plan (18 pp, 801K, About PDF), which is superseded by the updated plan linked above, was completed in June 2004.
Fort Meade, Maryland, Environmental Science Center (ESC) (PDF) (18 pp, 270K, About PDF). Fort Meade's WMP was updated in FY 2009. Also in FY 2009, Fort Meade began capturing air handler condensate and routing it to the cooling tower to use as make-up water. In FY 2008, the facility retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm, installed dual-flush toilets, and began capturing DI/RO water prior to drain and routing it to the boiler condensate system as feed water. Fort Meade's first water management plan (18 pp, 285K, About PDF), which is superseded by the updated plan linked above, was completed in December 2002.
Duluth, Minnesota, Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED) Laboratory (PDF) (22 pp, 468K, About PDF) MED’s WMP was updated in FY 2009. The laboratory already has multiple water conserving efforts in place, and EPA installed a culture water reclamation system to recycle 18 million gallons of water to nearby Lake Michigan in FY 2009. The facility plans to replace toilets and urinals with high-efficiency models and retrofit applicable toilets to dual flush models, retrofit faucets to high-efficiency, and eliminate single-pass cooling. Duluth's first water management plan (15 pp, 360K, About PDF), which is superseded by the updated plan linked above, was completed in January 2004.
Cincinnati, Ohio, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Testing and Evaluation Facility (PDF) (16 pp, 978K, About PDF). Plan completed in March 2009. To reduce water consumption, the facility retrofitted its lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gallons per minute (gpm) in FY 2009. The facility plans to install high-efficiency toilets and urinals, eliminate the use of single-pass cooling in a chiller unit for experimental equipment, and record and monitor the quantity of water used for research to identify water savings opportunities.
Cincinnati, Ohio, Center Hill Research Laboratory (PDF) (16 pp, 360K, About PDF). Plan completed in March 2009. To reduce water consumption, the facility retrofitted its lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm in FY 2008. The facility plans to install water conservation kits for steam sterilizer trap cooling and eliminate the use of single-pass cooling used for a piece of analytical equipment.
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, Research Triangle Park Campus including the Main Building, First Environments Early Learning Center, and National Computer Center (PDF) (40 pp, 747K, About PDF). Plan completed in February 2009. In FY 2008, the facility retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm, optimized the cage and rack washing operation schedule, installed high-efficiency pre-rinse spray valves in the commercial kitchen, eliminated single-pass cooling, optimized the sequence of operations to reduce vacuum pump seal water flow, and implemented operational controls to reduce steam sterilizer tempering water use.
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, Chapel Hill Human Studies Facility, ORD (PDF) (27 pp, 1005K, About PDF). Plan completed in February 2009. The facility retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm in April 2009. Since the WMP was written, the facility has also combined two reverse osmosis (RO) systems into one to increase efficiency. Additionally, the facility plans to retrofit restrooms with high-efficiency toilets and urinals, replace showerheads with high-efficiency models, and install water conservation kits for steam sterilizer trap cooling.
Kansas City, Kansas, Science and Technology Center (PDF) (20 pp, 503K, About PDF). Plan completed in November 2008. The facility retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm in FY 2008. In FY 2009, it replaced the vacuum pump system with a closed loop system. Additionally, the facility plans to increase the cycles of concentration in its cooling tower and optimize the operation of the graywater recovery system.
Gulf Breeze, Florida, Gulf Ecology Division Laboratory (PDF) (19 pp, 547K, About PDF). Plan completed in September 2007. The facility retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm in FY 2009. Additionally, the facility plans to install and monitor make-up and blow-down flow meters on all cooling towers, closely monitor cooling tower cycles of concentration, evaluate an air handler condensate recovery system, and maintain appropriate nozzles on all washdown hoses.
Grosse Ile, Michigan, Large Lakes and Rivers Research Station (PDF) (16 pp, 465K, About PDF). Plan completed in August 2007. The facility retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm in late FY 2008. Additionally, the facility plans to retrofit its restrooms with high-efficiency toilets and urinals and eliminate single-pass cooling water for air conditioner cooling in one of the facility's rooms.
Athens, Georgia, Science and Ecosystem Support Division Laboratory (PDF) (19 pp, 405K, About PDF). Plan completed in July 2006. An irrigation audit was performed by an irrigation auditor certified by a WaterSense-labeled program in FY 2008. The facility has chosen to discontinue use of its irrigation system and modify the landscape for xeriscaping. Also in FY 2008, the facility began capturing air handler condensate and routing it to the cooling tower to use as make-up water, and it retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm
Athens, Georgia, Ecosystem Research Division Laboratory (PDF) (22 pp, 799K, About PDF). Plan completed in July 2006. Prior to FY 2007, the facility decreased water use further by adding cooling tower capacity to optimize tower water use and replacing inefficient sterilizer equipment. In FY 2008, the facility retrofitted most of its restrooms with high-efficiency urinals and toilets (with flushing volumes of 0.125 gallons per flush (gpf) and 1.28 gpf, respectively), retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm, and began capturing air handler condensate and routing it to the cooling tower to be used as make-up water.
Richmond, California, Region 9 Laboratory (PDF) (16 pp, 308K, About PDF). Plan completed in June 2006. The facility retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm.
Edison, New Jersey, Region 2 Laboratory (PDF) (19 pp, 779K, About PDF). Plan completed in April 2006. The laboratory established an Environmental Management System (EMS) to meet the facility's nine resource conservation goals. Additionally, the facility has identified seven EMS water management objectives to help reduce the discharge of pollutants to stormwater systems. The facility is capturing air handler condensate and routing it to the cooling tower to be used as make-up water. The facility plans to retrofit lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm and install water conservation kits for steam sterilizer trap cooling.
Ada, Oklahoma, Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Center (PDF) (15 pp, 550K, About PDF). Plan completed in November 2005. An irrigation audit was performed by an irrigation auditor certified by a WaterSense-labeled program in FY 2008. The facility plans to upgrade its irrigation system to improve water efficiency. In FY 2009, the facility retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm.
Manchester, Washington, Region 10 Environmental Laboratory (PDF) (17 pp, 381K, About PDF).
Plan completed in August 2005. This laboratory uses an Environmental Management System (EMS) to achieve its water management goals. Manchester has identified the reduction of water consumption as an objective and is working to reduce water use for each full-time employee at the laboratory. In FY 2009, the facility retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm.
Houston, Texas, Region 6 Environmental Services Branch Laboratory (PDF) (17 pp, 1.2MB, About PDF).
Plan completed in July 2005. The laboratory has developed a drought contingency plan. An irrigation audit was performed by an irrigation auditor certified by a WaterSense-labeled program in FY 2008. The facility plans to upgrade its irrigation system to improve water efficiency. In FY 2009, the facility retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm.
Corvallis, Oregon, Western Ecology Division Laboratory (PDF) (17 pp, 796K, About PDF). Plan completed in August 2004. An irrigation audit was performed by an irrigation auditor certified by a WaterSense-labeled program in FY 2008. The facility is working with a landscape architect to convert turf areas to beds planted with shrubs and plants native to the Northwest. After this xeriscaping project is completed, the facility intends to discontinue irrigation water use. In addition, the facility plans to retrofit lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm and retrofit toilets with high-efficiency, dual-flush models.
Corvallis, Oregon, Willamette Research Station (WRS) (PDF) (14 pp, 989K, About PDF). Plan completed in August 2004. Rather than irrigate the surrounding landscape, the laboratory allows the surrounding pasture grass to go dormant in winter and recover with natural precipitation in the spring. WRS also upgraded its faucets and showerheads with to high-efficiency in August 2004. In addition, the facility plans to retrofit toilets with high-efficiency, dual-flush models.
Newport, Oregon, Western Ecology Division Laboratory (PDF) (15 pp, 1.0MB, About PDF). Plan completed in August 2004. The laboratory's urinals were converted to a waterless design in July 2004. In addition, the facility plans to retrofit lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm and retrofit toilets with high-efficiency, dual-flush models.
Las Vegas, Nevada, Laboratory (PDF) (11 pp, 235K, About PDF). In addition to installing high-efficiency faucets, showerheads, and other sanitary fixtures, and eliminating single pass cooling in all applications where it is cost effective to do so, the facility is also beginning an EMS implementation project, which will help to ensure consistent water use monitoring and establish additional water conservation goals.
Narragansett, Rhode Island, Atlantic Ecology Division Laboratory (PDF) (20 pp, 200K, About PDF).
Plan completed in October 2003. The facility has taken strides towards piloting a sustainable master plan. Such a plan may incorporate numerous water-related elements, including a green roof, cistern, and retention ponds. In addition, in FY 2007, the facility retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm and retrofitted restrooms with high-efficiency toilets and urinals.
Golden, Colorado, Region 8 Laboratory (PDF) (17 pp, 326K, About PDF). Plan completed in October 2003. An irrigation audit was performed by an irrigation auditor certified by a WaterSense-labeled program in FY 2008. The facility plans to upgrade its irrigation system to improve water efficiency and use xeriscaping where feasible. In addition, the facility plans to retrofit lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm and to retrofit restrooms with high-efficiency toilets.
Ann Arbor, Michigan, National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) (PDF) (19 pp, 270K, About PDF). Plan completed in April 2003. NVFEL reduced its water consumption by 78 percent from FY 1993-1995 (baseline) to FY 2002 as the result of an Energy Saving Performance Contract (ESPC) designed to improve energy and water efficiency. This laboratory demonstrates how water management plans and ESPCs can be integrated to provide greater water reductions. In addition, in FY 2009, the facility retrofitted lavatory faucets to flow at a high-efficiency rate of 0.5 gpm, installed high-efficiency toilets with 1.28 gpf flush volumes, and installed high-efficiency urinals with 0.125 gpf flush volumes.
Chelmsford, Massachusetts, New England Regional Laboratory (NERL) (PDF) (20 pp, 930K, About PDF).
Plan competed in December 2002. NERL’s WMP is being updated in FY 2009. Xeriscaping is used throughout NERL's grounds, which incorporates native plant species, islands of trees and shrubs, and open areas planted with grasses and wildflowers. The landscape design eliminates the need for irrigation. Furthermore, the building and site design reroute stormwater so that approximately one-third of stormwater runoff recharges the nearby wetlands.
EPA is tracking water conservation progress at these and other facilities.