Common Programs and Practices

Common Programs and PracticesWhat Has Worked?

Mary Ann DickinsonExecutive DirectorAlliance for Water Efficiency

Conservation Benefits

• Drought Tool: Short-term relief

• Planning Tool: Lessen gap between demand and available supply

• Economic Tool: Defer capital facilities for drinking water and wastewater capacity and treatmento The US will spend a quarter trillion dollars by the

year 2020

Federal Incentives

• 1992 Energy Policy Act plumbing efficiency standards

Fixture U.S. Standard Metric EquivalentWater Closets (Toilets) 1.6 gallons per flush 6 liters per

flush

Showerheads 2.5 gallons per min 9.5 liters per min

Faucets 2.2 gallons per min 8.3 liters per min

Urinals 1 gallon per flush 3.8 liters per flush

• Drinking Water and Wastewater State Revolving Loan Funds

National Activity

• Over 15 State Conservation ProgramsoPlanning Requirements and Permit Hookso Implementation of specific programs

• Arizona; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Florida; Kansas; New Jersey, New Mexico; Oregon; Texas; and Washington State

• Seattle, Boston, Tampa, Austin, New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas

How Much Can Be Saved?

• 1998 AWWARF Study of residential end uses in 1300 homes in twelve cities using data-loggers

• Without conservation, the household used on average 64.6 gallons per capita per day

• With conservation, the per capita per day figure is reduced to 44.7 gallons, or 30% savings

Without Efficiency Measures

MEDIDAS óPTIMAS DE GESTIóNMEDIDAS óPTIMAS DE GESTIóN

With Efficiency Measures: 30% savings

Residential Water Usage

Landscape58%

Clothes Washers

9%Showers

7%

Toilets11%

Dish Washers

1%

Baths1%Other

7%

Faucets6%

Source: AWWRF Residential End Uses of Water, 1999

First Steps Are Easy and Free

Designate A Conservation CoordinatorDesignate responsibility within agency to an

individual identifiable to the public

Prohibit Obvious Water Wastage with Simple OrdinancesEnact and enforce local ordinances prohibiting

gutter flooding, single-pass cooling, non-recirculating systems in car washes and commercial laundries, non-recycling decorative fountains

Educate the Public

Public Information ProgramsProvide speakers, advertising, and other

information to promote water conservation

School Education ProgramsWork with school districts by providing

materials for water conservation instruction

Next Steps

Audit Your Water System and Repair LeaksConduct system audit with the new methodology Monitor water delivery system for leaks and make

cost-effective repairs

Meter With Commodity RateMeter all new connections and bill by volumeRetrofit unmetered connectionsConsider installing dedicated landscape meters

Next Steps

Explore Conservation Rate Pricing

Adopt water rates that provide an incentive to

customers to reduce average or peak use

If utility provides both water and sewer service, apply

conservation pricing to both

Typical Residential Programs

Conduct Residential AuditsOffer residential customers water-use surveys

which include checking for leak, flow rates, irrigation systems and schedules. Try contacting 20% of your customers each year to offer surveys. Offer incentives and devices.

Retrofit Residential Plumbing Best when tied to the audit program.Provide 2.5 gallon-per-minute or less

showerheads and aerators and toilet displacement devices.

More Residential Programs

Replace Old Toilets with ULFTsImplement a program to replace high-water using toilets with

1.6 gallon per flush models or new higher efficiency toilets

Retrofit High-Efficiency WashersProvide rebate to encourage purchase of high-efficiency

clothes washing machinesNew national standard taking effect in 2007

Large User Programs

Examine the Commercial, Industrial, Institutional AccountsIdentify and rank customers in each customer

classRetrofit high-water using toilets and clothes

washersLook at high water using processes for

possible efficiency improvements (cooling towers, one-through cooling, etc.)

More Commercial &Industrial

Examine Large Landscape AccountsEncourage dedicated landscape meters:

assign a yearly or adjusted monthly water budget of <100% ETo

Tie water budgets into rates for penaltiesExplore new irrigation technologiesOffer incentives to minimize irrigation needsFor mixed-use meters: offer surveys to 20%

of customers

Effects of Growth

Water Resources and Population Growth, 2000-2020Source: DOE/NETL (M. Chan, July 2002)

The Facts

• ½ of homes that will exist in 2030 have not yet been built

• Studies are showing that new homes are using 12-60% 12-60% more water than their existing counterparts

• High water use not just a function of high-end homesoShower “systems”oAutomatic and excessive irrigationoHot Water Wastage

Incorporating Water

• Water efficiency a new partner in green building programs oUSGBC LEEDoNAHBoASHRAE

• 30%30% or more savings are possible

• With high efficient technology, over 1 billion1 billion gallons per day could be saved by 2015

The Facts

• Higher efficiencies being developed in products and appliances

• “Hardwiring” savings the best option

• More savings than voluntary programs

• State legislation, regulations, and ordinances

• Code and Standards changes

• Water Labeling Program similar to Energy Star

• Program announced by EPA Administrator in June, 2006

• High Efficiency Toilets already labeled – nearly 100 models

• Other products now under review

• Labeling candidates under review:o Bathroom faucets o Weather-based irrigation controllers o Soil moisture sensorso Drip irrigation systemso Commercial toilets, urinals, faucets, laundries, etc. o Autoclave water valveso Food Steamerso Pre-Rinse Spray Valveso Clothes Washers

Updates on EPA’s websitehttp://www.epa.gov/watersense

And the Consumer?

• Average US Consumer not aware of shortage issues, supply problems, or even economical efficiency opportunities

• Ethic slow in developing

• No effective national campaign exists similar to those in energy

Water vs. Cable

• Subsidies mask true costs of supply and distribution

• Utilities not valuing water efficiency programs at avoided costs of supply

• Environmental benefits not adequately valued in cost-benefit analyses

• Water Pricing still difficult: a fraction of a cable bill for a truly needed commodity

We Are Here to Help!

• Alliance for Water Efficiency• Structure: 501 (c) (3) non-profit

• Location: Chicago, beginning September, 2007

• Governance: Board of Directors chosen from stakeholder categories

• Funding: Memberships, Sponsorships, Grants. (EPA grant received October, 2006.)

Purpose

• Mission Statement: Promote the Efficient and Sustainable Use of Water

• Information: Web-based clearinghouse

• Research, evaluation and testing of products practices and standards

• Advocate for water efficiency standards and policies

• Education on the big picture and training for professionals

Web Site

www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org• Calendar & News

• Clearinghouse Product & Program Info

• Codes and Standards Information

• WaterSense information

• Sign up form

• Discussion Forum coming

H2ouse.org

Current Activities

• Provide Technical Assistanceo On call by phone or emailo Clearinghouse of detailed conservation informationo Promote practices for best planning, design, and

management practiceso Conduct training workshops (Chicago, San Antonio)

• Support Codes, Standards & Green Building

• Promote Market Transformationo Partner with EPA on WaterSense Labeling

Contact: maryann@a4we.org