Water Efficiency Basics
Why is water efficiency important in Federal facilities?
First, water resources are becoming increasingly scarce. Although two-thirds of the Earth's surface is water, less than one-half of one percent of that water is currently available for our use. As the U.S. population increases, so does our water use. Many regions are starting to feel the strain, as indicated by data on the overuse of groundwater and the intrusion of saltwater into many areas.
Second, legislation mandates conservation. Both Executive Order 13123 (PDF 103 KB, 12 pp) and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 call for Federal agencies to install all cost-effective energy and water conservation measures in their facilities. Download Adobe Reader.
Water utility rates have been rising steadily.
Third, costs for water and sewer services are increasing steadily. Unlike electric rates, water rates are projected to increase in the future. Between 1986 and 1996, water rates rose between 100% and 400% in some areas. The General Services Administration water and sewer rates have increased, on average, by 23% between 1993 and 1999. In the GSA Rocky Mountain region, these rates have increased more than 180%. A conservative estimate of future increases in water rates for Federal agencies is about 10% per year nationwide. These rate increases are not just due to scarce supplies. In many regions, especially the East, waste treatment plant capacity is driving the higher rates. Fourth, Federal facilities can play an important role in preserving local water resources. They are often a major user of water in their communities, and can Lead By Example in demonstrating good water management practices. This is especially true for facilities that that have there own water supply. These facilities should not be seen to flout local drought restrictions by, for example, having a beautiful green lawn when the rest of the community is restricted from watering. For all these reasons, Federal agencies should be determining the most cost-effective ways to save water, energy, and money in their facilities by implementing efficiency measures.
Overview of Federal Water Use
The Federal Government uses an estimated 244-256 billion gallons of water annually. This is equal to the water use of a state the size of Michigan or almost 10 million people. To process and use water, the Federal Government uses an estimated 138.3 billion Btu of energy annually. Ninety-eight percent of this energy is used to heat water. With moderate efficiency efforts, the Federal government could conserve approximately 40% of its water and related energy use, or 102.4 billion gallons of water annually. This is enough water for a state the size of Iowa or approximately 3 million people.
There are many options available for efficiency in Federal facilities. Water efficiency measures can be as simple as installing low-flow faucets or as sophisticated as using a computer- and climate- controlled irrigation system. And there are many effective measures in between. In an era of ever-tightening budgets, it is important for facilities to be aware of all the options available to them to save money while maintaining or expanding mission-critical activities.
This information is based on the Agency Annual Energy Management Data Reports and a study entitled Federal Facilities Water Use and Water/Energy Efficiency Potential, prepared for DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory by Pio Lombardo Associates, September 1997.