What is Water Conservation?
Water conservation is defined by the American Water Works Association as practices, techniques, and technologies that improve the efficiency of water use. Increased efficiency delays major capital improvements in water purification systems and plants, saving TMWA customers money in both the short and the long run. Water conservation is often equated with temporary restrictions on customer water use. Although water restrictions can be a useful emergency tool for drought management or service disruptions, water conservation programs emphasize lasting day-to-day improvements in water use efficiency. Why conserve? Responsible water use not only benefits the community, it will lower your monthly water bill! Browse this section of our site to learn about how you can conserve water inside and outside your home or business. Examples of what you will find include lawn watering methods developed for our area, how to prevent backflow, and how to check your toilet for leaks. TMWA’s educational Web
Water conservation is a practice in which people, companies, and governments attempt to reduce their water usage. The goal of water conservation may be to address an ongoing water shortage, or to make lifestyle modifications to be more environmentally friendly. In the late 20th century, water emerged as a major issue, especially in the developing world, where many people lack access to safe drinking water, and the issue of water conservation began to attract a great deal of attention. One of the most obvious reasons to practice water conservation is in a situation where water supplies are limited. An ongoing drought can restrict supply, as can a change in water policy, especially in an area where people are dependent on water from other places. Desert regions, for example, rely on water which is shipped, trucked, or moved through aqueducts, so distant policy decisions can directly impact the amount of water which can be accessed in these areas. Water conservation may also be practiced
[Excerpt] The term “water conservation” can mean many things. In its broadest use, it encompasses any action that stretches water supplies. People often use the term water conservation to mean some or all of the following notions: • Water use efficiency—providing the same or better level of end-use service, e.g., toilet-flushing or showering, with less water; • Wise water use—”water-conserving behaviors” such as not letting the water run while brushing one’s teeth or shaving, and “water-wise choices” such as installing low-water-use plants or xeric landscaping instead of conventional turf; • System efficiency—improvements to a water supply and distribution system, such as operational changes or distribution system leak repairs that reduce water losses; • Substitution of alternative supplies—for instance, using reclaimed wastewater; and • Curtailment—where certain uses are foregone or reduced, e.g., prohibitions on lawn watering or car washing during a drought water emergency. In the co
