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Water Efficiency

  
Clear drop of water splashing.

Included in the Water Efficiency Program Area are tools, techniques, and approaches for improving water use efficiency for both potable and non-potable water resources.

Executive Order (EO) 13514 Section 2, paragraph (d) mandates that Federal agencies improve water use efficiency and management by:

  • reducing potable water consumption intensity by 2 percent annually through fiscal year 2020, or 26 percent by the end of fiscal year 2020, relative to a baseline of the agency's water consumption in fiscal year 2007, by implementing water management strategies including water-efficient and low-flow fixtures and efficient cooling towers;
  • reducing agency industrial, landscaping, and agricultural water consumption by 2 percent annually or 20 percent by the end of fiscal year 2020 relative to a baseline of the agency's industrial, landscaping, and agricultural water consumption in fiscal year 2010; and
  • consistent with State law, identifying, promoting, and implementing water reuse strategies that reduce potable water consumption

The overarching goal of EO 13514 is "to establish an integrated strategy towards sustainability in the Federal Government and to make reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) a priority for Federal agencies."

In addition to the EO mandating increased water efficiency, other motivating factors for implementing water efficiency measures include financial savings and the reduction/prevention of environmental pollution.

Please use the links below to quickly jump to the information area needed or scroll down to view all items.



Regulations, Guidance, and Policy
Full text of the Energy Independence and Security Act, signed December 19, 2007 by President Bush, for the purposes of moving the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government.
This contains DOE supplemental guidance to the Instructions for Implementing Executive Order 13423 dated January 2008. This document provides clarification and guidance to achieve the water reduction goals of section 2(c) of Executive Order 13423 and the Instructions for Implementing Executive Order 13423, dated March 29, 2007. Beginning in 2008, Federal agencies must reduce water consumption intensity through life-cycle cost-effective measures, relative to the baseline of the agency's water consumption in fiscal year 2007 by 2 percent annually through the end of FY 2015 or 16 percent by the end of FY 2015.
Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management
24 January 2007
Executive Order 13423 "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management", signed by President Bush on January 24, 2007. The order sets goals in the areas of energy efficiency, acquisition, renewable energy, toxics reductions, recycling, renewable energy, sustainable buildings, electronics stewardship, fleets, and water conservation. In addition the order requires more widespread use of Environmental Management Systems as the framework in which to manage and continually improve these sustainable practices.
Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance
5 October 2009
This EO sets sustainability goals for Federal agencies and focuses on making improvements in their environmental, energy and economic performance. The Executive Order requires Federal agencies to set a 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target within 90 days; increase energy efficiency; reduce fleet petroleum consumption; conserve water; reduce waste; support sustainable communities; and leverage Federal purchasing power to promote environmentally-responsible products and technologies.
Released by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) on 31 October 2011, this guidance describes strategies to achieve sustainable Federal landscape practices. This guidance is to be used by Federal agencies for landscape practices when constructing new, or rehabilitating existing, owned or leased facilities, or when landscaping improvements are otherwise planned.
A part of the Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings MOU, paragraph III of this January 2006 document requires that Federal facilities employ strategies that in aggregate use a minimum of 20 percent less potable water than the indoor water use baseline calculated for the building, after meeting the Energy Policy Act of 1992 fixture performance requirements. For outdoor water use it promotes the use of water efficient landscape and irrigation strategies, including water reuse and recycling, to reduce outdoor potable water consumption by a minimum of 50 percent over that consumed by conventional means (plant species and plant densities).
Provides linkages to state conservation initiatives and requirements.
Supporting Information and Tools
 
Databases/Software Tools
The Tool is an Excel-based model that can evaluate the water savings, costs, and benefits of conservation programs for a specific water utility, using either English or Metric units. Additionally, it provides a standardized methodology for water savings and benefit-cost accounting, and includes a library of pre-defined conservation activities from which users can build conservation programs.
This system is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the N.C. Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
This DOE database provides up-to-date information on marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy, both in the U.S. and around the world. The database includes wave, tidal, current, and ocean thermal energy, and contains information on the various energy conversion technologies, companies active in the field, and development of projects in the water.
NHD is the surface water component of The National Map. The NHD is a digital vector dataset used by geographic information systems (GIS). It contains features such as lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, canals, dams and streamgages. These data are designed to be used in general mapping and in the analysis of surface-water systems.
This website provides information about various initiatives to promote sustainable infrastructure. Specifically it addresses the 4 pillars of sustainable infrastructure: better management, full cost pricing, efficient water use, and watershed approaches to protection.
These pages provide access to water-resources data collected at approximately 1.5 million sites in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The system features water maps including droughts, floods, streamflow and ground water response to climate change.
Directories/Catalogs/Newsletters
The newsletter of the American Water Resources Association.
This journal addresses the wide scope of current water efficiency projects as well as possible options and opportunities for future implementation. Subscription to the magazine is free.
The newsletter for the Alliance for Water Efficiency. Each issue contains a collection of the latest information of water efficiency and conservation from the US, Canada, and around the globe.
Libraries/Repositories
This library contains on-line resources on water conservation and efficiency. Subject matter covered in the library include: drought management, alternative supplies, conservation programs, water saving tips, residential efficiency, and metering.
A comprehensive clearinghouse of resources on water conservation, efficiency, and demand management for conservation professionals and the larger water supply community. Hosted by the American Water Works Association.
Organizations/Programs
The Alliance is a stakeholder-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the efficient and sustainable use of water.
Founded in 1964, the American Water Resources Association is a non-profit professional association dedicated to the advancement of men and women in water resources management, research, and education.
AWWA is an international nonprofit educational association dedicated to safe water. Founded in 1881 as a forum for water professionals to share information and learn from each other for the common good, AWWA has evolved into the world's largest organization of water professionals.
FEMP's mission is to assist agencies in water efficiency and meeting Federal mandates. They provide information on Best Management Practices, Case Studies, and Federal, state, and local resources for water efficiency and management.
Not-for-profit technical and educational organization created more than 75 years ago to continually assess and study the quality of the global water environment. WEF commissions research studies about the sources and causes of pollution, examines each new water treatment procedure, and educates the general public and water quality professionals on new techniques and solutions.
A public-private partnership program sponsored by EPA. Its mission is to protect the future of our nation's water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and services
Lessons Learned
 
Case Studies
These case studies provide information about the performance, economics, and/or success of Federal water efficiency projects.
Released by the National Research Council this 2011 report examines a wide range of reuse applications, including potable water, non-potable urban and industrial uses, irrigation, groundwater recharge, and ecological enhancement. With recent advances in technology and design, treating municipal wastewater and reusing it for drinking water, irrigation, industry, and other applications could significantly increase the nation's total available water resources, particularly in coastal areas facing water shortages, says a new report from the National Research Council. It adds that the reuse of treated wastewater, also known as reclaimed water, to augment drinking water supplies has significant potential for helping meet future needs. Moreover, new analyses suggest that the possible health risks of exposure to chemical contaminants and disease-causing microbes from wastewater reuse do not exceed, and in some cases may be significantly lower than, the risks of existing water supplies.
Implementation Guidance
Every drop of water saved in the U.S. saves energy, and every unit of energy saved saves water. That overlap has come to be known as the "energy-water nexus." This report, from the American Council for an Energy -Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Alliance for Water Efficiency combines the energy efficiency community and the water efficiency community. The report develops a blueprint for future joint efforts and envisions a policy agenda that could drive actions at the federal, state, local, and watershed levels.
Published July 2010, this document contains voluntary guidelines to help Federal agencies determine landscaping water use in unmetered situations per EO 13514.
Provides guidance on the use of native plant species as a water conservation methodology.
Hosted by EPA Region 9, this website details what is and is not feasible in the arena of water reuse and recycling.
A public-private partnership program sponsored by EPA. Its mission is to protect the future of our nation's water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and services
Management Practices
These webcasts show lawn care practices that will reduce pesticide and nutrient risks to human health and the environment. Topics include: mowing, watering, soil testing, runoff control, aeration, and pest control.
These Best Management Practices were originally developed by FEMP in response to Executive Order (E.O.) 13123 requirements. E.O. 13423 superseded E.O. 13123 and to account for the superseded requirement changes, water use patterns, and advancing technologies, the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense Office updated the original BMPs.
Discussed in the fact sheets are high efficiency toilet, composting toilet, incinerating toilets, and oil recirculating toilets. Each fact sheet includes the following information: environmental, Public, and consumer benefits; a description of the technology; limitations; consumer tips; costs and references for additional information.
The latest generation of water-saving, high-efficiency toilets must use less than 1.3 gal per flush and meet performance standards for quality in order to qualify for EPA's WaterSense label.
Training, Presentations, and Briefings
Sponsored by the Watershed Academy, this presentation was originally webcast on 17 May 2011. Learn how US EPA's WaterSense program can help you find and select water-efficient products that can help your wallet and the environment. The webcast will also highlight actions that water and wastewater utilities can take to save water and energy. Finally, the webcast will include information about how grassroots organizations are getting involved to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their communities.
Offered by FEMP, this web-based course offers an introduction to the key elements of water resource management, planning and implementation. The course is free and is self-paced which can be accessed at any time.
This training, recorded on 1 April 2010, provides a strategic planning overview of developing and implementing a water efficiency program.
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Last Updated: April 26, 2012