How Do Drinking Water Utilities Conserve Water?
Water utilities forecast water source availability, growth in population, and water demand to ensure adequate future water supplies during normal conditions, as well as periods of drought. When water shortages are predicted or experienced, water utilities have many options for conserving water. Temporary cutbacks or permanent operating adjustments can help conserve water. Temporary cutbacks may include: • Reduction of system-wide operating pressure, and • Water use bans, restrictions, and rationing. Permanent conservation measures may include: • Subsidizing use of water-efficient faucets, toilets, and showerheads, • Public education and voluntary use reduction, • Billing practices that impose higher rates for higher amounts of water use, • Building codes that require water-efficient fixtures and appliances, • Leak detection surveys and meter testing, repair, and replacement, and • Reduction in use and increase in recycling of industrial water. How Can Businesses Conserve Water? The ind
