United States Office of Water EPA832-F-99-085
Environmental Protection (4204) December 1999
Agency www.epa.gov/owm/genwave.htm
vvEPA Benefits of Water Efficiency Go
Beyond Your Bottom Line!
Commercial Water Use in the United States
T n 1995, about 9,590 million gallons of fresh water were used every day—more than the
JL average daily flow of the Potomac River at Washington, B.C.—in commercial applications
in the United States. That is a sixteen percent increase over 1990 levels. This means hotels,
motels, restaurants, office buildings, and other commercial facilities are responsible for
approximately three percent of the 341 billion gallons of freshwater used daily in the United
States. Nationally, commercial users consume 17 percent of publicly supplied water.
EPA formed the Water Alliances for Voluntary Efficiency (WAVE) program as part of an effort
to ensure that adequate U.S. water resources remain available to support both human and
environmental needs. Through WAVE and other programs, EPA works with its partners to
preserve the nation's water resources, conserve energy, prevent pollution, and help members
save money.
How Does Water Efficiency Benefit the Environment?
Water efficiency provides considerable savings on water and energy costs, but its environ-
mental impact can be just as dramatic. Water efficiency helps to protect the environment by
conserving water resources and natural habitats, and reducing wastewater generated and
energy consumed.
Conserves Water Resources and Natural Habitats
4 Saves precious high-quality drinking water resources.
6 Leaves more water in lakes, rivers, and streams for
fishing, swimming, and boating.
6 Protects groundwater from salt water intrusion.
6 Preserves vital natural habitats and breeding grounds for
birds, fish, and other animals.
4 Helps protect wetlands.
Reduces Wastewater and Other Pollutants
4 More efficient water use reduces the amount of wastewater
needing treatment.
4 Treatment facilities are able to treat smaller volumes of
wastewater more effectively, reducing pollutant discharges
into lakes, rivers, and streams.
Water Alliances For
Voluntary Efficiency
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4 More efficientjandscape irrigation practices can reduce the
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pollutants, such~as 'Access fertilizers and pesticides, that wash
into nearby lakes, rivers, and streams.
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Conserves Energy
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4 Being water efficient means less energy is needed to heat, pump,
and treat water and wastewater.
4 Energy conservation resulting from improved water efficiency
helps reduce air emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels
and other production wastes, such as coal ash, boiler slag,
emission control dust, and even nuclear waste.
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4 Conserving energy also contributes to the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants that cause acid rain
(carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide respectively).
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How Cain I Learn More?
For more information on how WAVE can help you identify water conservation measures to meet your needs, call
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