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EDITORIAL FEATURE
<br /> Water EPA Pro ram Seeks to Im rove Efficiency
<br /> By Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA Assistant Administrator for Water
<br /> Some water pro- The U.S..Environmental Protec- search,technical review and a process Putting a Plan in Place
<br /> , fessionals view the tion Agency(EPA)recently called for stakeholder input.Products meet- Recognizing the need to reduce
<br /> s, -' glass as half em national attention to the need for ing or exceeding these specifications water use is the first step in developing
<br /> � Pt3'• g g P P P� g
<br /> c'' In fact,a national water efficiency as it launched Water- may bear the WaterSense label. a strategic plan for infrastructure and
<br /> o
<br /> survey conducted Sense,a new voluntary public-private management practices that support in-
<br /> by the U.S. Government Accountabil- partnership program. Stakeholders Improving Water Efficiency dustrial and municipal water efficiency.
<br /> ity Office found that 36 states antici- from across the U.S.,including water The EPA,along with its many Utilities should start by designating
<br /> pate some sort of water shortage by utilities,environmental groups,manu- partners,has developed resources a water-efficiency coordinator.This
<br /> tli:year 2013.Meanwhile,per person facturers and retailers,have worked and programs designed to help water person can oversee efforts to integrate
<br /> water consumption continues to in- with EPA on the development of the professionals and the water indus- water efficiency,work to develop a
<br /> crease making water one of the world's WaterSense program. try improve water efficiency efforts. long-term water conservation plan
<br /> m)st critical natural resource concerns. WaterSense will enhance the market Whether it be those supplying the wa and educate employees,stakeholders
<br /> 0 hers view the glass as half-full.There for efficient products and programs ter or those using the water,making and the community.
<br /> ar:growing opportunities to create by creating a label that will make it small water-efficient changes can make Through this plan and implementa-
<br /> clunge that will lead to more efficient easy for Americans to identify those a big difference–it is just a matter of tion of water-efficient changes,manag-
<br /> water practices.This means protect- that save water.The program's reach • knowing where to start. ers can extend the value and life of in-
<br /> As a broader effort,EPA's Sustain- frastructure assets.EPA offers the tools
<br /> Regional Water Impacts able Infrastructure Initiative involves , needed to put a water conservation plan
<br /> all aspects of water conservation from in place.The complexity of the plan
<br /> I Domestic Water Use in Gallons per Day per Person and watershed planning and effective depends on the size of the system,but
<br /> Projected Percent Population Change by 2030 utility management to encouraging every plan should include these basics:
<br /> ""3396 pricing structures that fully recover setting goals,developing a system
<br /> , = VT 1796
<br /> , utility costs and encourage efficiency. profile,preparing a demand forecast,
<br /> to" t;,„„, The goal is to move infrastructure evaluating conservation measures,and
<br /> � management toward more sustainable setting an implementation strategy.
<br /> ' .' '' L ' 20% practices by encouraging innovation,
<br /> g c: facilitating partnerships,and promot- Setting goals
<br /> DE29% ing research and development. Setting goals will give a system
<br /> `� Both programs include resources and the ability to measure effective
<br /> ness. Goals should be specific and
<br /> Anticipated Water Shortages take into account the benefits to the
<br /> Domestic Water Use
<br /> twu �Pl system and its customers.Examples of
<br /> 0-100 water conversation goals include
<br /> ' ' i,51-200 "" improving the utilization
<br /> 201-250 - '�
<br /> 1 Eli 251-300 , and extending the life of
<br /> MN 301-350 ' y->
<br /> existing facilities,setting a
<br /> g
<br /> g
<br /> target percentage for water-
<br /> ., use reduction and educating
<br /> our environment and preserving ��
<br /> s life sustaining resource r future t� ` cr consumers about the value
<br /> NJ
<br /> generations. 0, of water and need for water
<br /> At the same time water managersim° efficiency.As implementation
<br /> a facing supply issues,they continue begins,goals should be re-
<br /> t•face other challenges such as aging �� +_ evaluated periodically and adjusted
<br /> i astructure and new regulatory H as needed.
<br /> r.o uirements.In fact,60 percent
<br /> o U.S.mayors say aging water and Statewide z) Creating a system profile
<br /> stewater facilities are a top priority. EN Regfonau16) and preparing a demand
<br /> MN Local(18) forecast
<br /> • er the next 20 years,drinking water None(9)
<br /> sourcr•GAO analysis of state water managers'responses to GA0 survey MI No response or uncertain(5)
<br /> a d wastewater utilities are expected Creating a profile involves tak-
<br /> t• invest hundreds of billions of dol- ing inventory of existing resources
<br /> la s in infrastructure improvements. will multiply by working with partners tips for using water more efficiently, and conditions in order to help meet
<br /> For those making water decisions, such as utilities,manufacturers and with the Sustainable Infrastructure growing needs. Certain conditions can
<br /> el ciency may not always top the list. retailers to promote and rebate water- Initiative focusing on the utility or impact water-efficiency efforts,and
<br /> B t as supply challenges arise and de- efficient products. broader community and WaterSense knowing the conditions that affect a
<br /> d for water increases,using water The WaterSense philosophy is to focusing on consumers.With EPA's system helps with planning.This is
<br /> sely will become more and more create specifications or technical re- help,WaterSense utility partners can en- especially important for systems facing
<br /> c tical to sustaining communities and quirements for products and programs courage their customers to use water-ef- shortages or increases in demand.
<br /> q ality of life.It is more important that are at least 20 percent more water ficient products,choose water-efficient Conditions to consider include service
<br /> ever to integrate water efficiency efficient and perform at least as well services,and be aware of how they use population,annual water supply,total
<br /> ' o everyday practices and to deter- as similar products in the marketplace. their water which will help them save system demand and pricing.
<br /> e how to use water-efficient mea- The specifications for each product are water,reducing overall demand.
<br /> s i es to help manage water supplies. being developed through market re-
<br /> —See EPA con't on page 18
<br /> 14 WATERWORLD DECEMBER 2006 WWW.WATERWORLD.COM
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