AWWA SOURCES59264

AWWA SOURCES59264 Critical Components of Conservation Programs That Get Results: A National Analysis
Conference Proceeding by American Water Works Association, 01/11/2004

Keyes, Alice Miller; Schmitt, Mandy; Hinkle, Joy L.

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Water supply and distribution and human impacts to ecosystems are of increasing concernthroughout the United States. Comprehensive water conservation programs offer an effective andreliable alternative to traditional, often more costly, means of supplying and distributing waterwhile meeting environmental needs. Comprehensive water conservation planning andimplementation have the potential to improve water quality and instream flow levels, decreasethe need for new capital investments, reduce vulnerability to drought, and provide additionalbenefits to people and ecosystems. Due to a variety of factors, state and local governments musttake action to improve water use efficiency in residential, agricultural, industrial, and municipalsectors of society.Many states and localities have effectively reduced water use, loss, or waste through waterconservation planning. This report analyzes the elements of several programs in the UnitedStates to identify characteristics that are instrumental in achieving results through waterconservation. As states and localities across the United States rise to meet the challenge ofproviding water and protecting natural resources, it is important to create a comprehensive andeffective water supply and conservation program. Based on this research, to be truly successful, acomprehensive water supply and conservation program must include: political leadership;stakeholder involvement in the planning and implementation stages; a detailed policyoutlining goals and conservation measures; detailed water use data, demand forecasting, andmonitoring; stable funding sources for water conservation initiatives; sufficient staff andtechnical assistance to implement the program; and, broad-based education and outreach.Individually, any of these components can accomplish water savings. However, to effectivelysustain water supplies, a conservation program must embrace all seven. Includes 49 references.