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Best Practice Guide |
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Local Governments |
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Water UseConservation Planning
Develop conservation-oriented rate structures. This market-based approach will help local governments avoid profligate water use, and thus help them save energy as well. Metering can be a key component of these savings, reducing water demand from 20 to 45 percent. Once meters are installed, the rate structure can be designed to encourage conservation. Installing meters in new construction is easy, whereas retrofits may be more difficult and expensive. Volume-based and true-cost pricing are important when establishing rates, as volume discounts actually discourage water conservation. Connection fees can also help encourage conservation and should be based on a structure's anticipated water use and discharge. A retrofit ordinance can also be helpful. However, because of the likelihood of opposition from parties such as the real estate sector, any retrofit ordinance should be precluded by a quiet study of its feasibility. Adopt a water waste ordinance. This ordinance should be accompanied by a public education campaign to address the opposition that is likely to arise. The list of “wasteful activities” should wax and wane with the availability of water, with the list growing in times of drought. Develop a drought response contingency plan. Such a plan will obviate panic. Contingency planning allows officials to respond appropriately to the situation. A contingency plan might include such steps such as forecasting the supply situation in relation to demand, assessing drought mitigation options, establishing triggering levels, developing a demand reduction program, adopting a drought plan, and monitoring results. Implement programs to reduce supply system leaks. Local water agencies will benefit from these programs because of their increased knowledge of the distribution system, more efficient use of existing supplies, reduced property damage, improved public relations, and reduced legal liability. A water utility should conduct a water audit to determine if a repair program is justified. Steps to conduct a water audit include quantifying the water supply and authorized metered and un-metered water use, quantifying water losses, and analyzing water audit results.
Protect hydrants from waste. In some jurisdictions, water hydrants are prone to tampering and vandalism. Efforts to prevent waste from unauthorized use may include a public education campaign and installing hydrant-locking devices. Steps to determine the need for hydrant protection include determining the scope of the problem by surveying the distribution network and assessing your alternatives. Conduct an infiltration/inflow detection and repair program. Infiltration results from groundwater entering sewer lines through porous walls, cracks, or leaky joints. Inflow comes from storm drains illegally connected to the sanitary sewer system and from sources such as poorly sealed manhole covers. I/I detection and repair can save money, resources, and protect the environment. Testing methods may include smoke testing, rainfall simulation, manhole inspection, building plumbing inspection, flow isolation, television inspection (which is the most reliable), man-entry inspection, infrared thermography, and lateral testing. Once inspection is done, determine the structural condition of the pipe, the consequences of the failure, and the pipe’s performance. Tabulate the size or capacity of the segment to be replaced and evaluate the life-cycle costs for alternative replacement and rehabilitation methods.
Reduce pressure in your water system. Studies indicate that by decreasing water pressure by 30 to 40 pounds per square inch, water use will drop by 3 to 6 percent. This can be accomplished with pressure-reducing valves on service lines. It may not be appropriate to reduce water system pressure in existing areas because fire-fighting capabilities and customer irrigation systems may be adversely affected. However, new areas can be designed to operate at lower water pressure (50 psi instead of 80 psi). Local governments can also identify unusually high water pressure areas and determine if water pressure can be reduced without a negative impact on stakeholders. Audit and retrofit institutional and public facilities with water-conserving hardware. This includes installing retrofit water-saving devices on toilets and urinals, periodically adjusting flush valves on toilets and urinals, installing low-flow faucet aerators, faucets with automatic shut-off capacity, more efficient water-using appliances, as well as low-flow shower heads at gyms, pools, and schools. Other measures include installing water-efficient dishwashers and washing machines, recycling car wash water, installing meters, and conducting water audits. You should also cover pools to reduce evaporation. Routinely inspect plumbing fixtures to eliminate leaks. Audit monthly water bills to spot high bills indicating leaks or water misuse. Create public awareness about the importance of water efficiency and conservation - The best place to start taking such measure is in your own community. |