 Using
Water Efficiently: Ideas for Utilities
Efficient water use can have major environmental, public health,
and economic benefits by helping to improve water quality, maintain
aquatic ecosystems, and protect drinking water resources. By using
water more efficiently and by purchasing more water efficient products,
we can also help mitigate the effects of drought. This list of measures
is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather a starting point.
Getting Started:
- Designate a water efficiency coordinator.
- Develop a water efficiency plan. For more information, please
visit the Water Conservation Plan Guideline
Summary page. *
- Educate and involve employees, residents and school children
in water efficiency efforts.
System Improvements—Keep a tight system, look at alternative
sources:
- Implement a water-loss management program (e.g. repair leaks).
The water industry goal for unaccounted-for-water is 10 percent.
- Utilities should strive for universal metering.
- Consider a reclaimed wastewater distribution system for non-potable
uses.
- Ensure that fire hydrants are tamper proof.
- Equipment changes—set a good example by using water efficient
equipment.
- Install high-efficiency toilets, or retrofit water-saving devices
on existing ones.
- Install faucet aerators and low flow shower heads in municipal
buildings.
- As municipal appliances or equipment wear out, replace them
with water-saving models.
- Eliminate "once-through" cooling of equipment with
municipal water by recycling water flow to cooling tower or replacing
with air-cooled equipment.
- Minimize the water used in space cooling equipment in accordance
with manufacturer's recommendations. Shut off cooling units when
not needed.
- Consider installing new water-saving pool filters.
Policies and Programs to Encourage Efficient Water Use:
- Ensure the utility rate structure encourages water efficiency,
or at least does not discourage it.
- Make retrofit kits for residences and businesses available free
or at cost. Kits may contain low flow faucet aerators, high efficiency
showerheads, leak detection tablets, and replacement valves.
- Promote water-efficient landscape practices for homeowners and
businesses, especially those with large, irrigated properties.
Practices include use of native plants, landscape renovation to
reduce water use, and more efficient irrigation.
- Offer incentive programs (rebates/tax credits) to homeowners
and businesses to encourage replacement of plumbing fixtures and
appliances with water-efficient models.
- Conduct water-use audits of homes, businesses and industries.
Audits provide users with invaluable information about how water
is used and how usage might be reduced by specific measures.
Other Measures—For a full list of municipal
water efficiency measures, see Appendix
A (PDF) (20 pp, 196K, About
PDF) of the U.S. EPA Water Conservation Plan Guidelines.
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