Use Water Efficiently

Water efficiency refers to practices, products, or systems that use less water than traditional products or systems without sacrificing performance. Water-efficient products can include graywater use and low-flow water fixtures (such as toilets or faucets). Water-efficient practices can include landscaping with plants that require less water, use of rainwater for irrigation, and stormwater management.

Why would a water utility, an organization that sells water, want to encourage people to use less of it? Surprisingly, both utilities and their customers can benefit substantially when they use water more efficiently.

For systems on a firmer financial footing, selling less water may decrease profits. But sales losses can be offset when treatment, disposal, and energy costs come down because less water is processed. On average, these savings can offset about 30 percent of the losses associated with selling less water.

Most importantly, in the US, the population is projected to increase significantly over the next 35 years, and virtually every water system will face pressure to meet growing demand. Put simply, the best way to avoid the need for costly large-scale expansion tomorrow is to start increasing water efficiency today.

Thinking regionally, acting locally Local Governments Take Part in Integrated Water Resources Management

The ‘LoGo Water’ project. ‘LoGo Water’ aims at supporting local governments in the Southern Africa region to actively engage in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Nine institutions and organisations from Southern Africa and the European Union which are specialising in different areas of water management and local government are implement. . .

Added by  Anuradha Bhattacharjee  May 12, 2008
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SDI-Africa - GIS & remote sensing news in Africa - May 2008

Spatial Data Infrastructure — Africa (SDI-Africa) is a free, electronic newsletter for people interested in GIS, remote sensing, and data management issues in Africa. The May 2008 issue is chock-full of useful highlights on recent activities; it provides details about available data and tools and includes notices about upcoming training, employmen. . .

Added by  Kate Lance  May 7, 2008
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  Respect for women’s rights built into a Model for self-financing, ecological, sustainable, local integrated development projects.

The article describes in detail how respect for women's rights is built into the Model for self-financing, ecological, sustainable, local integrated development projects for the world’s poor promoted by the Dutch NGO Stichting Bakens Verzet (“Another Way”). The Model is in the public domain and available for use free of charge. It can be downloade. . .

Added by  Terrence Manning  April 30, 2008
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  Respect for ecology built into a Model for self-financing, ecological, sustainable, local integrated development projects

The article shows how ecology is built into the Model for self-financing, ecological, sustainable, local integrated development projects for the world’s poor promoted by the Dutch NGO Stichting Bakens Verzet ("Another Way"). The Model is in the public domain and available for use free of charge. It can be downloaded from website www.flowman.nl. T. . .

Added by  Terrence Manning  April 30, 2008
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  Agricultural production capacity and food security built into a Model for ecological, sustainable, local integrated development projects.

This article shows how projects under the Model for self-financing, ecological, sustainable, local development projects promoted by the Dutch NGO Stichting Bakens Verzet ("Another Way") support agricultural production and increase food security in project areas. The Model is in the public domain and available for use free of charge. It can be downl. . .

Added by  Terrence Manning  April 30, 2008
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Dishwashers and Clothes Washers to be More Water Efficient

Energy legislation approved by Congress and signed by President Bush in December has established – for the first time – minimum national water efficiency standards for residential clothes washers and dishwashers. The standards contained in H. R. 6, the “Energy Independence and Security Act,” were developed during negotiations between appliance manu. . .

Added by  Emmanuel Habumuremyi  April 30, 2008
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10 April 2008: Experts Develop a Plan to Secure our Water Supply at the Waterwise Annual Conference

At the Waterwise water efficiency conference, part of UN World Water Day celebrations, key water industry representatives gathered to debate the role of water efficiency to better manage our water supply and to ensure the protection of our water supply for future generations. Phil Woolas, Minister for the Environment gave the key note speech at . . .

Added by  Emmanuel Habumuremyi  April 30, 2008
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Public Must Be Persuaded to Embrace Water Efficiency

Water users will not be persuaded to cut their consumption until they can be convinced that there really is a shortage and it is in their best interests to do something about this. This was the underlying theme of a seminar arranged by the Economic and Social Research Council and UK Water Industry Research this week. The Behavioural Change an. . .

Added by  Emmanuel Habumuremyi  April 30, 2008
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California Water Efficiency & Security Act of 2008

California requires a reliable water supply to sustain our population, accommodate our economic growth, and maintain our unique environment. Regions throughout the state are learning that their water supply reliability is threatened as climate change exacerbates the already critical problems affecting the Colorado River, the Bay Delta Estuary, gro. . .

Added by  Emmanuel Habumuremyi  April 30, 2008
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Rainwater Tank Rebate Program

The use of rainwater tanks has been a popular topic of discussion in the community because of the dry conditions in the past few years. Rainwater tanks help conserve water, our precious natural resource and also help manage stormwater run-off. The decision of whether to buy a rainwater tank, especially for use around the home, requires some rese. . .

Added by  Emmanuel Habumuremyi  April 30, 2008
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