Guidance to Establish Water Efficiency Improvement Goal for Federal Agencies
Agencies shall reduce potable water usage by implementing life cycle cost-effective water efficiency programs that include a water management plan, in accordance with Attachment 1, and not less than 4 separate FEMP Water Efficiency Improvement Best Management Practices (BMP), listed in Attachment 2. BMPs can be considered implemented at a facility when all the following criteria are met:
- Water Management Plans have been developed/revised and incorporated into existing facility planning processes and operating plans; and
- Applicable Operations & Maintenance Options have been put into practice, and Retrofit/Replacement Options have been reviewed within the last 2 years and those appropriate for implementation have been identified; and
- Applicable cost-effective Retrofit/Replacement Options have been implemented.
The schedule for implementation is as follows:
5% of facilities by 2002
15% of facilities by 2004
30% of facilities by 2006
50% of facilities by 2008
80% of facilities by 2010
The Department of Energy will review agencies' progress in 2005, and may revise the water efficiency improvement goal at that time. Agencies should also refer to the FEMP web site for information about reporting baseline water consumption and cost.
Attachment 1 - Facility Water Management Planning Guidelines
Background
A successful water management program starts with development of a comprehensive water management plan. This plan should provide clear information about how a facility uses its water, from the time it is piped onto the facility through its ultimate disposal. Knowing how you currently use water and what it costs will enable you to make the most appropriate water management decisions. This plan should be included with existing facility operating plans.
Implementation
Develop or update facility water management plans to include at a minimum the following:
- Operation and Maintenance (O&M) recommendations. Include appropriate O&M recommendations from the FEMP Best Management Practices in facility operating plans or procedure manuals.
- Utility Information. Appropriate utility information should include the following:
a. Contact information for all water and wastewater utilities.
b. Current rate schedules and alternative schedules appropriate for your usage or facility type. You want to be sure you are paying the best rate.
c. Copies of water/sewer bills for the past 2 years. This will help you identify inaccuracies and determine that you are using the appropriate rate structure.
d. Information on financial or technical assistance available from the utilities to help with facility water planning and implementing water efficiency programs. Sometimes energy utilities offer assistance on water efficiency.
e. Contact information for the agency or office that pays the water/sewer bills.
f. Production information, if the facility produces its water and/or treats its own wastewater. - Facility information. At a minimum, perform a walk-through audit of the facilities to identify all major water using processes; location and accuracy of water measurement devices; main shut off-valves; verify operating schedules and occupancy of buildings. Because of reporting requirements in Executive Order 13123, facilities should include a description of actions necessary to improve the accuracy of their water usage data. This can include a metering (or other measurement) plan for the facility.
- Emergency response information. Develop water emergency and/or drought contingency plans that will describe how your facility will meet minimum water needs in an emergency or reduce water consumption in a drought or other water shortage. This should be done in conjunction with your local water supplier.
- Comprehensive Planning. Inform staff contractors and the public of the priority your agency or facility places on water and energy efficiency. Ensure that they take water supply, wastewater, storm water issues and water efficiency BMPs into account at the earliest stages of planning and design for renovation and new construction.
Attachment 2 - FEMP Water Efficiency Improvement Best Management Practices
Agencies shall implement a water management program that includes not less than four of the following best management practices:
BMP # 1 - Public Information and Education Programs
BMP # 2 - Distribution System Audits, Leak Detection & Repair
BMP # 3 - Water Efficient Landscaping
BMP # 4 - Toilets and Urinals
BMP # 5 - Faucets and Showerheads
BMP # 6 - Boiler/Steam Systems
BMP # 7 - Single-Pass Cooling Systems
BMP # 8 - Cooling Tower Systems
BMP # 9 - Miscellaneous High Water-Using Processes
BMP #10 - Water Reuse and Recycling