New report finds water efficiency rules save billions of dollars, gallons
According to a new report from the American Water Works Association (AWWA), American consumers stand to save $35 billion simply by using widely available water efficient plumbing products in their homes. The report was released at the AWWA's 120th Annual Conference and Exposition being held this week in Washington, D.C.
"AWWA supports water conservation because conservation eases the pressure on water supplies and on consumer pocketbooks," said AWWA Executive Director Jack Hoffbuhr. "As America's population grows, conservation can be one of our best weapons in ensuring all of us have access to safe, affordable drinking water."
According to AWWA's survey of 3,700 utilities nationwide, the use of more efficient plumbing fixtures will reduce the amount of water produced nationwide by 3.5 billion gallons per day. This reduction results in smaller operation and maintenance costs at water utilities, as well as downsized or deferred capital projects. When combined with the resulting energy savings from the downsizing, communities will save $127 per person by 2020, savings that translate into $35 billion for the nation.
"AWWA's report certifies what water utilities have known for years: water conservation benefits everyone," noted Hoffbuhr. "Today's technology enables us to reconsider our water use practices at a time when demand is exploding, but supply remains finite."
The savings from conservation are produced largely through the installation and regular use of water efficient plumbing fixtures such as aerated showerheads, energy-efficient clothes washers and 1.6 gallon per flush toilets. These fixtures have been installed in cities from New York, New York to San Diego, California, and received high performance ratings by consumers in customer satisfaction surveys, regardless of locale. Likewise, a report issued by the American Water Works Research Foundation in 1999 determined that the performance of water-efficient toilets equals that of the older models while using only half the water.
Today's report found that conservation would alleviate pressure on water supplies most significantly in densely populated areas of the country, such as New England, the Mid-Atlantic region and Pacific Northwest. Savings to ratepayers and utilities from conservation would be greatest in the plains states, Rocky Mountain region and desert southwest. All of these regions have endured drought conditions in the past two years, and the Pacific Northwest and Mid-Atlantic region are expected to face dry conditions again this summer.
"Conservation is a simple, affordable way for communities to use their water resources more wisely," concluded Hoffbuhr. "Through the regular use of water-efficient fixtures, consumers will reap the benefits of larger water- and financial-reserves."
Source: AWWA
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