Water Conservation Measures
Contents
- Water Efficiency Requirements
- Water Metering
- Water Leak Detection
- Conservation Pricing - Water Rates
- Landscaping
- Water Reuse
- Consumer Education
- Other References
- MRSC Related Pages
Water Efficiency Requirements
In 2003, the Washington State Legislature passed the Municipal Water Supply - Efficiency Requirements Act, Ch 5 Laws of 2003, 1st Ex. Sess (RCW 70.119.180), which directed the Department of Health (DOH), Office of Drinking Water, to adopt water use efficiency rules by December 2005. The water use efficiency program became effective January 22, 2007. See the Washington State Department of Health Water Use Efficiency Web page. Water use efficiency elements include planning requirements, distribution leakage standards, water use efficiency goal-setting, and performance reporting. This law is commonly referred to as the Municipal Water Law.
- Municipal Water Law - Department of Health
- Water Use Efficiency - Department of Health - Provides rules, documents, fact sheets and guidebook
- Water Use Efficiency Guide Book (
2.12 MB), 2nd edition, Washington State Department of Health, 2009 - Replaces the 1994 Conservation Planning Requirements publication (DOH Pub #331-008)
- Water Use Efficiency Subcommittee Report ( 456 KB), April 2005
Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water Efficiency References
Metering Requirements
Source and service metering are key to a successful water use efficiency program. Source and service meters provide the data necessary for determining leakage, assist in managing an important resource, and enhance planning activities. All municipal water suppliers must meter their existing and new service connections. The new regulations are summarized in Chaper 2 - of the Water Use Efficiency Guidebook
- Water Meters ( 2.12 MB), Ch. 2, Water Use Efficiency Guidebook, Washington State Department of Health, 2nd edition, January 2009
- Universal Water Metering - Level 1 Measure in Appendix A of USEPA Water Conservation Plan Guidelines, 1998
Water Leak Detection
A distribution system leakage (DSL) standard is a significant element of the new water use efficiency (WUE) requirements.
- Distribution System Leakage ( 2.12 MB), Ch. 6, Water Use Efficiency Guidebook, Washington State Department of Health, January 2009
- Reduce Leaks: Using Water Audits and Leak Detection Surveys ( 105 KB), Department of Health DOH PUB. # 331-388. February 2008
- Water Accounting and Loss Control - Level 1 Measure in Appendix A of USEPA Water Conservation Plan Guidelines, 1998
- Water Audits and Leak Detection (M36), Second Edition, American Water Works Association, 1999 MRSC Library Loan
- Water Loss Control - WaterWiser, American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Conservation Pricing - Water Rates
One of the most effective tools for water conservation is the rate structure. Rate structures and practices that promote the efficient use of water should be the goal to ensure sufficient resources to meet competing uses.
- Conservation-Oriented Rates for Washington Public Water Systems in Washington: Report to the Legislature (
7,489 KB) - Washington State Department of Health, December 1995.
- Conservation Pricing of Water and Wastewater ( 74 KB) - Holly Stallworth, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000
- Rate Structures and Efficient Water Use ( 73 KB) - Washington State Department of Health Fact Sheet
- Description of Conservation-Oriented Rate Structures ( 582 KB) from Conservation-Oriented Rates for Washington Public Water Systems in Washington: Report to the Legislature, Washington State Department of Health, December 1995, pp. 4-5, 19-25.
- Water Conservation-Oriented Rates, American Water Works Association, 2005 Publishers Blurb
- Water Rates: Paying for Drinking Water ( 69 KB), Washington Department of Health Fact Sheet, Publication No. 331-372, August 2005
- Sample Conservation Rate Structures - MRSC
Landscaping
- Xeriscaping Conserves Water ( 5.20 MB), by Michelle Moore, On Tap, National Environmental Services Center, Spring 2008
- City of Bellevue Waterwise Gardening
- Glendale, Arizona - Landscape Rebate Program
- Oak Harbor Municipal Code, Section 19.46.040 - General Landscaping Standards. See (6) - Irrigation and Watering and (11) Xeriscape Process
- Redmond Water Conservation Demonstration Garden - Includes plant list
- Seattle Natural Lawn and Garden Care
- Sprinkling and Irrigation Regulations - MRSC
- Woodinville Water District Water Efficient Demonstration Garden
Water Reuse
Standards for water reuse were developed under the authority of and pursuant to specific requirements in chapter 90.46 RCW.
- State References
- Water Reclamation and Reuse - Washington State Department of Ecology
- Water Conservation Using Greywater ( 452 KB) - Washington State Department of Health Fact Sheet, 2005
- Water Reclamation and Reuse Standards ( 238 KB) - Department of Health (DOH, DOE #97-23)
- Water Reclamation and Reuse - The Demonstration Projects, 2000 - Washington State Department of Ecology
- Local Government Examples
- Everett, Reclaimed Water
- King County Water Reuse Program
- Olympia, Reclaimed Water
- Sequim Municipal Code Ch. 13.112 ( 371 KB) - Reclaimed Water
- Yelm, WA Ordinance No. 684 ( 1,427 KB) - An ordinance for use of reclaimed water (12/99)
- Other
- Wastewater Reuse Conserves Water and Protects Waterways ( 1.36 MB), by Caigen McKenzie, OnTap, Winter 2005
- There Is No Silver Bullet: The City of Bend, OR, Uses a Variety of Conservation Methods to Promote Management and Communitywide Water Conservation, by Carol Brzozowski, Water Efficiency, March/April 2007
- Water Recycling and Reuse: The Environmental Benefit - EPA Region 9
- WaterReuse Association
- Wastewater Reuse Conserves Water and Protects Waterways (
Consumer Education
Information and education are critical to the success of any conservation program.
- Information and Education - Level 1, Appendix A of USEPA Water Conservation Plan Guidelines, 1998
- Bellingham - Water Conservation - Includes Rain Barrels
- Everett - Water Conservation Plan
- Ferndale - Water Saving Tips - Room by Room
- Liberty Lake Water and Sewer District - Water Conservation
- Mercer Island - Water Conservation
- Redmond - Drinking Water
- Richland - Water Conservation
- Seattle - Water Conservation Rebates and Technical Assistance (Commercial Customers)
- Highline Water District - Conservation
- Woodinville Water District - Water Conservation
- Saving Water Partnership - A group of local utilities that funds water conservation programs in Seattle and King County.
Other Resources
- Handbook of water use and conservation: homes, landscapes, businesses, industries, farms, by Amy Vickers, 2001 MRSC Library Loan
- Water Conservation Programs: A Planning Manual, American Water Works Association, 2005 MRSC Library Loan
- Water Efficiency: The Journal for Water Conservation Professionals - Forrester Communications
- Washington's Wasted Water ( 1.42 MB), Center for Environmental Law and Policy
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