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Updated 04/2012

Water Conservation Measures

Introduction

This page is one of a series on Water Conservation and addresses state water efficiency requirements. It is intended to supplement pages of the Washington State Department of Ecology and the Washington State Department of Health by providing additional references and local government examples.

Water Efficiency Requirements

In 2003, the Washington State Legislature passed the Municipal Water Supply - Efficiency Requirements Act, Laws of 2003, 1st Ex. Sess. Ch.5 (RCW 70.119.180), which directed the Department of Health, 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 webpage. Water use efficiency elements include planning requirements, distribution leakage standards, water use efficiency goal-setting, and performance reporting.

Department of Health Water Efficiency References

The Municipal Water Law, Washington State Department of Health
Water Use Efficiency, Washington State Department of Health - Provides rules, documents, fact sheets, and guidebook
Water Use Efficiency Guidebook (), Washington State Department of Health, 3rd edition, 2011
Water Use Efficiency Subcommittee Report (), 2005
Water Use Efficiency (WUE) Publications and Educational Tools

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, to assist in managing an important resource, and to enhance planning activities. All municipal water suppliers must meter their existing and new service connections. The new regulations are summarized in Chapter 2 of the Water Use Efficiency Guidebook ().

Water Meters (), Ch. 2, Water Use Efficiency Guidebook, Department of Health, 3rd edition, 2011
Universal Water Metering - Level 1 Measure in Appendix A Water Conservation Plan Guidelines, Environmental Protection Agency, 1998 - Listed as EPA Water Sense Resource

Water Leak Detection

A distribution system leakage (DSL) standard is a significant element of the new water use efficiency (WUE) requirements. Guidelines and information on creating DSL standards are contained below.

Distribution System Leakage (), Ch. 6, Water Use Efficiency Guidebook, Department of Health, 3rd edition, 2011
Reduce Leaks: Using Water Audits and Leak Detection Surveys (), Department of Health DOH Publication No. 331-388, 2008
Water Accounting and Loss Control - Level 1 Measure in Appendix A, Water Conservation Plan Guidelines, Environmental Protection Agency, 1998 - Listed as EPA Water Sense Resource
Water Audits and Leak Detection, Second Edition, American Water Works Association, 1999 (Available through MRSC Library Loan)
Water Loss Control, WaterWiser, American Water Works Association (AWWA)
- Free Water Audit Software

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 Pricing of Water and Wastewater (), by Holly Stallworth, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000
Water Rates: Paying for Drinking Water (), Department of Health Questions & Answers, DOH 331-327, updated January 2011
Description of Conservation-Oriented Rate Structures () from Conservation-Oriented Rates for Washington Public Water Systems in Washington: Report to the Legislature, Department of Health, 1995, pp. 4-5, 19-25
Pricing Structures, Water: Sustainable Infrastructure, Environmental Protection Agency
Tiered Water Rates, Overview of tiered block rate structures by the AWWA Rates & Charges Committee - See also Related AWWA Resources
Water Rates That Encourage Conservation, MRSC - Sample Conservation Rate Structures

Landscaping

Xeriscaping Conserves Water (), by Michelle Moore, On Tap, National Environmental Services Center, Spring 2008
City of Bellevue Waterwise Garden
Glendale, Arizona Landscape Rebate Program - Example of incentive program
Oak Harbor Municipal Code Sec. 19.46.040 - General Landscaping Standards. See (6) - Irrigation and Watering and (11) Xeriscape Process
Redmond Conservation Garden - Includes plant list, irrigation strategy, natural lawn strategy
Seattle Public Utilities Landscaping Professionals - Focus on Natural Lawn and Garden Care
Water Conservation - Sprinkling and Irrigation Regulations, MRSC
Woodinville Water District Waterwise Demonstration Garden

Water Reuse

Standards for water reuse were developed under the authority of and pursuant to specific requirements in Ch. 90.46 RCW.

State References

Graywater, Department of Health - Design and management requirements
- Useful Links Related to Greywater Reuse, Recycling and Water Conservation
Reclaimed Water, Department of Ecology - Legislation, rule development, permitting, resources and guidance

Local Government Examples

Everett Public Works Reclaimed Water
King County Reclaimed Water: Planning for the Future - King County Reclaimed Water Comprehensive Plan
Olympia Reclaimed Water
Sequim Municipal Code Ch. 13.112 - Reclaimed Water
Yelm City of Yelm Reclaimed Water ()
- Yelm Municipal Code Ch. 13.24 - Reclaimed Water
- Yelm Ordinance No. 684 () - An ordinance for use of reclaimed water, passed 12/1999

Other Resources

Overcoming Barriers to Graywater Reuse, AWWA Streamlines, Vol. 3, No. 16, June 28, 2011
Water Recycling and Reuse: The Environmental Benefit, Environmental Protection Aagency, Region 9
Water Reuse: Potential for Expanding the Nation's Water Supply Through Reuse of Municipal Wastewater, Committee on the Assessment of Water Reuse as an Approach to Meeting Future Water Supply Needs, National Research Council. National Academies Press, 2012 - Copy can be purchased or viewed online
WaterReuse Association - An international group of organizations and individuals working together to improve and increase local water supplies

Consumer Education

Information and education are critical to the success of any conservation program.

Bellingham Water Conservation - Includes rain barrels
Everett Public Works Water Conservation Plan
Liberty Lake Water and Sewer District Water Conservation
Mercer Island Water Conservation
Redmond Drinking Water - See conservation page
Richland Water Conservation
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.

Additional References

Drinking Water, The National Drinking Water Clearinghouse (NDWC), National Environmental Services Center, West Virginia University
Handbook of water use and conservation: homes, landscapes, businesses, industries, farms, by Amy Vickers, 2001 (Available through MRSC Library Loan)
Using the Water Bill to Foster Conservation (), by Jeff Hoffman, On Tap, Winter 2010
Water Conservation Programs: A Planning Manual, American Water Works Association, 2005 (Available through MRSC Library Loan)
Water Efficiency: The Journal for Water Conservation Professionals, Forrester Communications