EPA's Basic Guidelines for Preparing Water Conservation Plans

The EPA's Water Conservation Plan Guidelines describe the water conservation measures that water utilities can use in designing water conservation programs. As part of their conservation plans, planners should consider, at a minimum, each of the measures specified in the Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced Guidelines, depending on which set of Guidelines apply to the water system.

The Guidelines are organized into six parts.

• The first part introduces the Guidelines and provides information to the States. This part addresses integrating water conservation and infrastructure planning, water conservation planning criteria, guidelines and measures, State roles, and current State programs.

• The second part, written for water systems, is an overview to the organization, content, and use of the Guidelines.

• The next three parts contain the water conservation plan Guidelines: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced.

• The last part contains supporting information, including a description of conservation measures, benchmarks, additional resources and a glossary.

Although the list of conservation measures included in the EPA Guidelines is comprehensive, planners should not limit their analysis to the measures mentioned in this document. Planners should always consider new technologies and approaches as they become available.

Developing a System Profile

The EPA’s Basic Guidelines for Preparing Water Conservation Plans assists water providers in developing a system profile by taking inventory of existing resources and conditions. This helps water providers assess their present circumstances and design strategies to meet emerging needs.

Water Providers are encouraged to use Worksheet 3-1 (page 47) to compile a system profile. The first part of the worksheet lists system characteristics. The second part provides an overview of conditions that might affect the conservation planning effort.

ADWR Water Efficiency Programs

• Arizona Rinse Smart is a water-efficiency program for the food industry. This is a direct-installation program consisting of the replacement of high-water-use, low-pressure pre-rinse spray nozzles, with low-water-use, high-pressure spray valves.
  
  New higher pressure nozzles use half as much water as the standard nozzles. When older nozzles are replaced, eateries can achieve both water and energy savings. Results from other programs have shown savings for small restaurants averaging 50,000 gallons per year!
  
  Communities around the state are partnering with ADWR to implement this program. Please contact us to learn how your community can participate in this exciting new program!

• Arizona's Patch the Pipe program uses of state-of-the-art digital leak-detection equipment, including magnetized loggers and a noise correlator, to pinpoint leaks. This program is for municipalities, cities, and towns only.

Equipment, training, and trained staff may be available in your area. Please contact us to learn how your community can save water by participating in the Patch the Pipe program.

Developing Ordinances to Prohibit Fugitive Water from Irrigated Landscapes (and other sources of outdoor water waste)

In Arizona, a significant portion of outdoor water use is applied to the landscape. Water used to irrigate landscapes is wasted when it runs off due to application rates that far exceed plant requirements, the inability for soils to absorb the water at the rate applied, or inefficient irrigation systems. To combat water waste from landscape irrigation, referred to as fugitive irrigation water, some Arizona towns and cities have implemented ordinances prohibiting waste from fugitive irrigation water.  

These Guidelines provide examples of the kind of information needed to develop an ordinance that prohibits fugitive irrigation water.

Using Water Efficiently: Ideas for Communities

Efficient water use can have major environmental, public health, and economic benefits by helping to improve water quality, maintain aquatic ecosystems, and protect drinking water resources. Efficient use of water, through behavioral, operational, or equipment changes, if practiced broadly can help mitigate the effects of drought. 

Review the list of measures included in the EPA's Using Water Efficiently: Ideas for Communities for tips on how to get started developing a water-efficiency program, system improvements, equipment changes and policies and programs to encourage the efficient use of water.

ADWR: A Summary of Conservation Programs in Active Management Areas

ADWR collects information from cities, towns, private water companies, and water improvement districts in an effort to summarize and document water conservation activities implemented within Arizona's Active Management Areas.

The information contained in the Summary is current through March 2007 and is intended to serve as a resource for Arizona municipal water providers and other organizations wishing to begin or expand their water conservation programs.

Conservation and Drought Planning - How do they work together?

The ADWR Conservation and Drought Planning Fact Sheet is intended to assist Arizona's Community Water Systems in developing drought preparedness and conservation plans. 

EPA WaterSense

WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Through this program, the EPA is building WaterSense as a national brand for water efficiency. The brand is more than just a product label; it is a symbol that represents the importance of water efficiency in the United States.

With the help of partners like ADWR, WaterSense encourages water-efficient behaviors and the purchase of quality products that use less water.  Explore the WaterSense website to find a water-efficient product and discover all of the great ways this program supports water conservation efforts in Arizona.

EPA WaterSense - Become a Partner!

The Promotional Tool Kit for Utilities, Communities, States, and Other Organizations is a comprehensive publication that outlines the resources available to WaterSense Partners.  It specifically contains resources on branding, communicating with the public, working with the media, and materials specifically for water utilities to use as part of ongoing water conservation programs and marketing efforts.

All materials are available to WaterSense Promotional Partners at no charge. Becoming a Partner is easy; please consider joining today!   

WaterWiser - AWWA's Water Efficiency Clearinghouse

WaterWiser provides news, information, research results, discussion forums, references, a calendar of events, searchable information databases, and other resources primarily targeted to water conservation professionals, but freely accessible to others in the water industry and the general public.

WaterWiser is produced and maintained by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

Use the WaterWiser Drip Calculator to estimate water loss due to leaks.

Outdoor Water Efficiency

See ADWR's Landscape Professionals page for information and links regarding:

• Training and Certification Programs for Irrigation Professionals
• Water-efficient Landscapes
• Low-water-use Plant Lists
• Rainwater Harvesting
• Gray Water Harvesting

Water Education in the Schools

See ADWR's Education and Outreach page for information and links regarding:

• Arizona Project WET
• Water-education Curriculum
• Educator Workshops
• Water Festivals