Water Conservation Best Practices

Federal sites across the country are incorporating water efficiency measures as part of their overall comprehensive UESC projects. As it becomes more difficult to secure internal funding for efficiency projects, working with your local utility can be a very effective way to implement a comprehensive program that incorporates water efficiency measures.

Why Water Conservation?

The rising cost of water and sewer services is one reason sites should include water efficiency measures as part of their overall efficiency program. The General Services Administration (GSA) water and sewer rates have increased, on average, by 23% between 1993 and 1999. In the GSA Rocky Mountain region, these rates increased by more than 180%, reflecting an increasingly scarce water supply in many regions of the country. Another incentive for water conservation comes from Executive Order 13123 (PDF 103 KB, 12 pp). It mandates water-use reductions at Federal sites, stating, "Through life-cycle cost-effective measures, agencies shall reduce water consumption and associated energy use in their facilities." Download Adobe Reader

Water efficiency technologies often have short paybacks of six years or less. Many water conservation measures not only save water but also save energy used in heating and pumping. Utilities and agencies are discovering that incorporating water conservation as part of an energy program helps to buy down the overall cost of the project. In one case, a utility was able to include an additional 15% of mechanical work by implementing water efficiency measures in comprehensive energy projects at Federal sites.

Best Management Practices for Improving Water Efficiency