EFC | Water Conservation

Water conservation is a relatively new concern among community water systems in the southeastern United States, as is the issue of limited water supplies. Though the Southeast typically has had abundant water supplies, rapidly growing populations have put increasing strains on local groundwater and surface water systems. Water supply vulnerabilities were laid bare during the 2007-2008 southeastern drought.

While this situation obviously threatens communities’ abilities to provide public health and environmental services related to water and wastewater, it also threatens the financial sustainability of these services. During the 07-08 drought, many local governments' enterprise funds ran into the red as water usage declined and utilities sold less water. This page is devoted to the EFC’s efforts to promote financially sustainable methods for conserving water and maintaining services.

Trainings

Research

Micro-targeting utility customers
The EFC, through funding provided by the North Carolina Urban Water Consortium, is analyzing the consumption patterns of residential customers of some of the largest utilities in North Carolina.he entire record of water, irrigation and wastewater bills for each customer is tracked through one fiscal year and analyzed to provide a complete and comprehensive analysis of residential consumption through 12 months. The EFC is working with NCSU to match the results of our analysis to survey responses on household water conservation attitude and behavior.

Direct Technical Assistance

Woodfin Water District (pdf)
The 07-08 drought put extra pressure on the Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District. Faced with tough decisions about rate structures and policies, District Director Joe Martin asked the EFC to gather and analyze their customer usage data. The EFC helped the district analyze their historical customer usage patterns, and from that data developed a comprehensive water conservation program (pdf). EFC analyzed the cost effectiveness of water use restrictions, targeted conservation pricing rates and rate structures, and conservation fixture rebate programs. Armed with concrete information, Woodfin Water District can now be strategic in looking for workable solutions.

Drought surcharges
In times of drought, a water utility needs the help of its community to extend its resources. In many cases, the utility “requests” that help through mandatory restrictions. While outdoor water-use restrictions are effective in conserving a dwindling supply, utilities with low base rates can suffer financially when sales drastically decline. Some utilities have used temporary drought surcharges to both promote conservation and revenue stability. The Environmental Finance Center has researched and developed tools to help other utilities consider the impact and feasibility a drought surcharge in their community.

		Water Conservation
		Water conservation is a relatively new concern among community water systems in the southeastern United States, as is the issue of limited water supplies. Though the Southeast typically has had abundant water supplies, rapidly growing populations have put increasing strains on local groundwater and surface water systems. Water supply vulnerabilities were laid bare during the 2007-2008 southeastern drought. While this situation obviously threatens communities’ abilities to provide public health and environmental services related to water and wastewater, it also threatens the financial sustainability of these services. During the 07-08 drought, many local governments' enterprise funds ran into the red as water usage declined and utilities sold less water. This page is devoted to the EFC’s efforts to promote financially sustainable methods for conserving water and maintaining services. Trainings Pricing and Non-Pricing Strategies to Conservation and the NC Drought Bill (pdf) October 22, 2009 - Hot Topics in Water Finance and Governance, Montreat, NC Financial Aspects of Drought Management Workshops March 17, 2009 - Statesville, NC February 27, 2008 - Raleigh NC Reassessing our Rates: Conservation Rates & How to Make it All Work (pdf) September 24, 2008 - Raleigh NC Pricing as a Conservation Tool: Do Rate Block Structures Really Matter? March 2007 - Raleigh NC Research Micro-targeting utility customers The EFC, through funding provided by the North Carolina Urban Water Consortium, is analyzing the consumption patterns of residential customers of some of the largest utilities in North Carolina.he entire record of water, irrigation and wastewater bills for each customer is tracked through one fiscal year and analyzed to provide a complete and comprehensive analysis of residential consumption through 12 months. The EFC is working with NCSU to match the results of our analysis to survey responses on household water conservation attitude and behavior. Direct Technical Assistance Woodfin Water District (pdf) The 07-08 drought put extra pressure on the Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District. Faced with tough decisions about rate structures and policies, District Director Joe Martin asked the EFC to gather and analyze their customer usage data. The EFC helped the district analyze their historical customer usage patterns, and from that data developed a comprehensive water conservation program (pdf). EFC analyzed the cost effectiveness of water use restrictions, targeted conservation pricing rates and rate structures, and conservation fixture rebate programs. Armed with concrete information, Woodfin Water District can now be strategic in looking for workable solutions. Drought surcharges In times of drought, a water utility needs the help of its community to extend its resources. In many cases, the utility “requests” that help through mandatory restrictions. While outdoor water-use restrictions are effective in conserving a dwindling supply, utilities with low base rates can suffer financially when sales drastically decline. Some utilities have used temporary drought surcharges to both promote conservation and revenue stability. The Environmental Finance Center has researched and developed tools to help other utilities consider the impact and feasibility a drought surcharge in their community.