Best Practice Guide

Local Governments

Introduction

Planning an Energy Program

Funding and Approval

Education

Lighting

Central HVAC System

Procurement Policy

Building Envelope

Demand Response

Distributed Generation

Water Use

Waste Water

Landscaping and Outdoor Areas

Conservation Planning

New Development

Industry

Residential

Reclamation

Public Education

Bathroom Fixtures

Water Audits

Motors

Food Service

Resources and Appendices

Lessons Learned


Atascadero, City of

La Mesa, City of

London, City of

Pasadena, City of

Redondo Beach

Sacramento, City of

San Francisco, City of


View the Glossary

Water Use

New Development

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Adopt an ordinance strengthening local building code standards. Improved standards (1 gpf for urinals, 2 gpm for lavatory faucets, 2.5 gpm for kitchen faucets, and more water efficient dishwashers and washing machines) would reduce indoor water use in homes by about 25 percent. According to the National Wildlife Federation, if these standards were applied nationwide, the annual water savings resulting from one year's worth of new construction alone would equal the amount of water used by a city of 100,000. If applied to the nation as a whole, these savings would translate to approximately 2,400 megawatts of electricity - the transmitted output of eight 500 megawatt coal plants. Oil and gas would be reduced by the equivalent of 40,000 barrels of oil per day. These water and energy savings would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and amount to $10 billion for consumers.