Using Water Efficiently

Ideas for Utilities

Efficient water use can have major environmental, public health, and economic benefits by helping to improve water quality, maintain aquatic ecosystems, and protect drinking water resources. By using water more efficiently and by purchasing more water efficient products, we can also help mitigate the effects of drought. This list of measures is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather a starting point.

Getting Started:

• Designate a water efficiency coordinator.
• Develop a water efficiency plan.
  • U.S. EPA Water Conservation Plan Guidelines include a full list of municipal water efficiency measures, see Appendix A (PDF) (20 pp, 196 K, About PDF)
  • AWWA’s Water Conservation Resource Community has resources for utilities, including reports on water conservation planning and voluntary standards for water conservation and efficiency program operation and management.
• Educate and involve employees, residents and school children in water efficiency efforts.
  • WaterSense has a WaterSense Community-Based Social Marketing Workbook (pdf) (2.94 MB, October 2023) that describes how to use social marketing theory to enhance their water efficiency outreach efforts and develop messages that will resonate with the community. 
• Become a WaterSense Partner and get access to resources to help you with your water efficiency efforts!

Policies and Programs to Encourage Efficient Water Use:

• Ensure the utility rate structure encourages water efficiency, or at least does not discourage it. One of the most effective ways to reduce demand for water is to establish rates that escalate as more water is used.
  • The Alliance for Water Efficiency's Financing Sustainable Water Initiative has resources to help utilities consider alternative rate structures. 
• Make retrofit kits for residences and businesses available free or at cost. Kits may contain WaterSense labeled faucet aerators, showerheads, leak detection tablets, and replacement valves.
• Offer incentive programs (rebates/tax credits) to homeowners and businesses to encourage replacement of plumbing fixtures and appliances with water-efficient models.
• Promote water-efficient landscape practices for homeowners and businesses, especially those with large, irrigated properties. Practices include use of native plants, landscape renovation to reduce water use, use of irrigation professionals certified by a WaterSense labeled program and more efficient irrigation.
• Conduct water–use audits of homes, businesses and industries. Audits provide users with invaluable information about how water is used and how usage might be reduced by specific measures.
• Consider how water efficiency programs can work with affordability programs to help customers in need. 
  • Read more about WaterSense partner experiences in Assistance that Saves: How WaterSense Partners Incorporate Water Efficiency into Affordability Programs

System Improvements—Keep a tight system, look at alternative sources:

• Utilities should strive for universal metering. Metering helps to identify losses due to leakage and also provides the foundation on which to build an equitable rate structure to ensure adequate revenue to operate the system.
• Implement a water loss control management program. Water losses may be real (e.g., from leaks) or apparent (e.g., meter inaccuracy, unauthorized consumption).
  • AWWA has resources on water loss control and free water audit software to help utilities get a handle on water loss.
  • EPA has a guide on Control and Mitigation of Drinking Water Losses in Distribution Systems
• Consider a reclaimed wastewater distribution system for non-potable uses.
• Ensure that fire hydrants are tamper proof.
• Equipment changes—set a good example by using water efficient equipment.
  • Install high-efficiency WaterSense labeled toilets, or retrofit water-saving devices on existing ones.
  • Install WaterSense labeled faucet aerators and showerheads in municipal buildings.
  • As municipal appliances or equipment wear out, replace them with water-saving models.
  • Eliminate "once-through" cooling of equipment with municipal water by recycling water flow to cooling tower or replacing with air-cooled equipment.
  • Minimize the water used in space cooling equipment in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. Shut off cooling units when not needed.
  • Consider installing new water-saving pool filters.

Other Resources:

• EPA has developed a document that provides an overview of a range of best practices that utilities can undertake to avoid the need to expand their water supplies. Best Practices to Consider When Evaluating Water Conservation and Efficiency as an Alternative for Water Supply Expansion
• EPA's Water Reuse and Recycling program has a wealth of resources, including a hub that provides information on different types of water reuse by desired end use.
• EPA's Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center - The Center works with on-the-ground partners to provide financial technical assistance to communities. It provides objective financial advice to help communities make informed decisions on funding drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects. It also provides access to tools that help utilities make financing decisions that meet their local infrastructure needs.