&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
and Waste Management
Washington DC 20460
July 30, 1979
Water
Grants and Loans
for Municipal Water Supply
and Wastewater Treatment
Systems:
Water Conservation
Provisions
Final Report of Task Force 11
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development
-------
GRANTS AND LOANS FOR MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY AND
WATEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS:
WATER CONSERVATION PROVISIONS
FINAL REPORT
OF
TASK FORCE 11
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT
-------
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Directive
On ^uly 12, 1978, the President Issued a memorandum to the Administrator
of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Secretaries of the
Departments of Agriculture (DOA), Commerce (DOC), and Housing and Urban
Development (HUD), directing them to:
review those programs of your agency that provide
loans and grants for municipal water supply and
wastewater treatment systems, and modify those
programs to remove any disincentives to water con-
servation and to require appropriate community
water conservation programs as a condition of such
loans and grants. These water conservation modifi-
cations are to apply to all loans and grants
awarded after September 30, 1979.
This Directive is part of the implementation phase of the President's V'ater
Policy Message to Congress, Issued on June 6, 1978. That message provided for a
new national emphasis on water conservation on the part of agencies.and Departments
within the Executive Branch of -the Federal government. The President assigned the
task of seeing that these policy initiatives were fully and promptly implemented
to the Secretary of the Interior. In turn, the Secretary established nineteen
separate task forces to assist..him in overseeing implementation of the water
policy directives. Six of these task forces are considering various aspects of
the water policy message that relate to water conservation.
The President's Directive for Task Force number 11 charged the Administrator
of the Environmental Protection Agency with the responsibility of coordinating the
review of appropriate programs of EPA, HUD, Commerce and Agriculture, and reporting
to the Secretary of the Interior on the results of program modifications which
would encourage water conservation in grant and lean programs for water supply
and wastewater treatment.
1
-------
Affected Programs
The-Task Force reviewed the programs of each of Its agencies to determine
which programs were affected by the President's Directive. Some of the major
affected programs are:
Department/Agency
Agriculture
Name of -Affected Programs
Farmers Home Administration
Commerce
Economic Development Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Water and Waste Disposal
Systems for Rural Communities
Public Works and Development Facilities
State Coastal Management and Energy
Impact Programs
Housing and Urban Development
Environmental Protection Agency Construction Grants for Wastewater and
Treatment Works
Water Quality Management Program
Water Pollution Control Regulation
Research and Development Program
Community Development
Block Grants
Small Cities Program
Urban Development Action Grants
Comprehensive Planning Assistance
Program
Some of the programs listed are not municipal water supply and wastewater
treatment system grant and loan programs. Some of the Task Force agencies
included such programs because they have a substantial effect on grant and
loan programs.
11
-------
Interim Report
On November 27, 1978 the Task Force Issued an interim report containing
a description of each affected program, existing water conservation provisions,
potential options, and other pertinent information. Copies of the report were
distributed and discussed at several national and regional water poltcy
implementation meetings. Reviewers were asked to identify additional options
and provide comments on the feasibility of the options presented.
Existing Water Conservation Measures
Some of the Task Force Agency programs already include provisions which
encourage water conservation:
e Farmers Home Administration: Highest priority for funding shall be given
to an existing community water supply system requiring immediate action
as a result of unanticipated diminution or deterioration of its water
supply. Distribution system leakage shall not exceed FmHA criteria.
Combined sanitary and storm sewers will not generally be financed.
0 Department of Commerce
0 Economic Development Administration: Metered water systems are required.
c National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Neither the Energy
Impact nor the Coastal Zone Management Programs contain incentives or
disincentives for water conservation.
8 Environmental Protection^Agency; Flow reduction analyses are required
as part of facility planning. Innovative and alternative systems,
including those resulting 1n wastewater reuse and recycling, must
be evaluated and when selected will receive 85% instead of the normal
75% Federal funding. States may give a higher priority to innovative
or alternative projects and must set aside 2% (3% in fiscalJ981) of
the state allocation of construction grants funds for such projects.
111
-------
Best Management practices for control of non-point source water
pollution often result tn water conservation.
Public Participation
Throughout the development of the reports the Task Force conducted open
Interagency meetings. The Department of the Interior conducted a number of
national and regional conferences on the Task Force efforts. EPA conducted
a National Water Conservation Conference 1n November 1978. The final report
contains copies of all letters and oral comments and detailed responses to
each. Public comment on any option 1s stm encouraged and may be made
to the Department of the Interior or directly to the appropriate Task Force
agency.
Task Force Assumptions
The Task Force utilized a slightly modified version of the Department of
the Interior's definition of wa^er conservation:
Actions to implement the President's policy on water
conservation should consist of proposed changes that
will (a) reduce the demand for water; (b) improve
efficiency in use and reduce losses and wastes; and
(c) Improve land and waste management practices to
conserve water
The Task Force judged the benefits of water conservation to be proven and
the need for water conservation to be documented. The Task Force relied
extensively on the December 6, 1977 report of the Interagency Water Conservation
Task Force and the Water Resources Council's "Second National Assessment of the
Nation's Water Resources" for these Judgements.
i
The Task Force found that cost savings and energy considerations generally
I
argued for not limiting water conservation measures to water short areas.
1v
-------
Major Issues
The Task Force encountered a number of Issues in developing water conservation
options. The most serious of these was statutory authority. In no case was water
conservation a primary or even a secondary statutory goal. On the other hand,
water conservation was not specifically precluded by statutory language. In almost
all cases the statutes were silent on the issue of water conservation. The Task
Force agencies took varying positions on the implication of statutory silence.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development took the position that since
their statutes were silent on water conservation, it could not impose any
conditions on its programs. It would allow grant and loan funds to be used for
water conservation measures to the extent local agencies determined it to be
appropriate.
The Economic Development Administration took the position that it would
require or encourage water conservation measures when doing so was consisttnt
with and supportive of its primary statutory goal of encouraging economic
development in depressed areas.
The Environmental Protection Agency took the position that its statutory
goals were water quality and public health protection. Where construction grant
assistance is involved, the evaluation of flow reduction measures to reduce
needed reserve capacity is specifically provided for by the Clean Water Act.
Additional legislation would be necessary for it to implement measures unrelated
to these goals.
The Farmers Home Administration took the position that water conservation
was consistent with its statutory goals and that it would implement all reasonable
water conservation measures.
Potential levels of Federal Involvement in implementing water conservation
measures included Federal funding. Federal requirements , Federal encouragement,
-------
and Federal assistance. Recognizing the validity and significance of geographical,
historical, and water resource differences, the need for State and local
flexibility, public and congressional concerns over red tape and program
complexity, Agency resources available to implement options, the Task Force
agencies generally selected options Involving encouragement and assistance.
These decisions also reflected a desire to move incrementally; that is, to
encourage and financially support water conservation for a time, and then
evaluate its effectiveness before considering the Imposition of water
conservation requirements.
The options selected are expected to result in significant water conservation.
However, the level actually realized is dependent on a number of factors outside
the control of the Task Force agencies. These factors include the level of
Federal appropriations, the responsiveness of State and local governments to
Federal encouragement, revision of HUD minimum property standards, revision of
national plumbing codes, inability of wastewater source substitution projects
to compete with Federally subsidized water prices, public education, redefinition
of water short areas to include those not maintaining minimum Instream flows or
groundwater levels, consideration of water conservation 1n lieu of Federal
rescue projects, revision of water law to address use-or-lose requirements,
coordination of water resources and water quality programs, and Increased
eligibility of water conservation devices, including water meters.
Final Report
Each Task Force agency was requested to review available options in terms
of benefits, costs and data needs and report to the Task Force on which options
it would commit to Implement. The decisions of the Task Force agencies on each
option are briefly summarized on the following pages:
vi
-------
Department of Agriculture - Farmers Jtome Administration
Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities
Option
1. Water. Meters; Water Meters can provide
an Incentive to conserve water by
making the user more aware of the
relationship between cost and" usage
level. Water meters could be required
and made eligible for assistance 1n
all projects.
Implementation
FmHA regulations have been modified
to require water meters and to make
the costs of necessary meters eligible.
Exemptions possible.
2. Leakage; It may be cheaper to
repair leaky water supply distri-
bution systems than to expand system
capacity. FmHA could give leakage
evaluation Increased emphasis and
fund repairs when cost-effective.
FmHA will modify regulations to give
Increased emphasis to leakage analysis
and will fund repairs when cost-effective.
3. Rate Structures: Water conservation
and equity would be served by Improved
water & sewer rate structures. FmHA
could require that rate structures be
equitable.
FmHA will modify Its regulations to
require water and sewer system rate
structures to be equitable.
4. Public Education: Water and sewer
system authorities could inform users
FmHA will modify its regulations to
require communities receiving assistance
vii
-------
of water conservation measures and
benefits. FmHA could require systems
to develop and Implement water conser-
vation public education programs.
to develop water conservation public
education programs.
5. Facility Design: Design engineers
could Incorporate water conserving
features more fully Into FmHA funded
water and sewer facilities.
FmHA will require water conservation
measures to be Incorporated Into the
design and operation of proposed water
and sewer facilities whenever econo-
mically feasible.
-------
Implementation
EDA will include water conservation
measures 1n Its agenda of matters to
be discussed with applicants at pre-
applicatlon conferences.
Department of Commerce - Economic Development Administration
Public Works and Development Facilities
Option
1. Design Criteria: EDA could:
8 require that a detailed 11st of
water conservation criteria be
Incorporated Into project design;
or,
0 Inform applicants of water con-
servation criteria that could be
Incorporated Into project design;
or,
0 prepare and distribute a technical
guidance manual which details water
conserving project design criteria;
or,
0 revise regulations to specify design
criteria, flow reduction measures,
and maximum allowable Infiltration/
inflow rates for sewers and leakage
rates for water supply distribution
systems.
2. Water Conservation Plans; EDA could:
0 require water conservation plans to be EDA will require applicants to prepare
prepared by all applicants; or, water conservation plans in water
0 require water conservation plans to be short areas.
prepared by all applicants in water-
short areas; or,
1x
-------
allow regional office discretion 1n
determining where water conservation
plans are required; or,
require applicants to consider
developing water conservation plans.
3. Assistance: Communities desiring to
prepare a water conservation plan would
benefit from technical assistance 1n
the form of a Water Conservation
Handbook. The Handbook could provide
Information on plan components, options,
available devices, model ordinances,
rate structures, public Information
and education programs. EDA could
prepare this handbook Independently
or jointly with other Federal grant
& loan agencies.
EDA will prepare a handbook, preferably
cooperatively with other Federal grant
& loan agencies, providing general and
technical guidance on water conservation
practices and covering all of the Federal
assistance programs providing financial
assistance for the construction of water
supply and wastewater treatment systems.
4. Dev1oeJ:Hg1bnity; Water conservation
plan elements providing for Installa-
tion of water conserving devices would
receive greater Implementation 1f the
devices were eligible for Federal
financial assistance.
EDA will require metering as a part
of all water and sewer projects and
will allow metering facilities as an
eligible project cost. EDA cannot
legally fund water conservation devices
1n residences as eligible costs in
general water projects. However, when
-------
EDA funds the construction of a building,
such devices may be Included as an
eligible project cost.
-------
Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Coastal Energy Impact Program
Option Implementation
1. Grant and Loan Criterion: NOAA could
include water conservation as a
criterion in providing loans and
grants for municipal water supply
and wastewater facilities.
NOAA has determined that this option
would not result in any significant
conservation of water. It will not
be Implemented.
State Coastal Management Programs
Option
1. Planning; NOAA could issue policy or
guidance to participating states
indicating additional State responsi-
NOAA has determined that this option
would not result in any significant
conservation of water. It will not
bilities to: identify water-short areas, be Implemented.
conditions development permits, review
policies and activities for consistency
with water conservation needs in
identified areas.
xii
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
Construction Grant Program
Option
1. Reelamation/Reuse Study Area:
EPA could encourage applicants to
extend wastewater reclamation and
reuse study areas beyond facility
service areas.
Implementation
EPA will revise facility planning
guidance to Incorporate this option.
2. Grantee Authority: EPA could require
States to develop priority lists such
that construction grants would only be
offered to agencies with the authority
to Implement or assure Implementation
of all aspects of projects, Including
flow reduction measures.
EPA determined that this option could
best be addressed through the Section
208 and 106 water quality management
program. Accordingly, 1t will not be
Implemented through the construction
grant program.
3. Flow Reduction Analyses: The thorough-
ness and rigor of applicant flow
reduction analyses could be Improved
if EPA prepared a Flow Reduction
Handbook.
EPA has budgeted funds so that Handbook
should be available for distribution by
October 1980.
4. Rate Structures: EPA could encourage
applicants to adopt water conserving
rate structures by preparing guidance
on all aspects of alternative rate
EPA will provide guidance on water
conserving rate structures in its Flow
Reduction Handbook which is to be issued
by October 1980.
xiii
-------
structures 1n the Flow Reduction Hand-
book and by encouraging applicants to
evaluate surcharges and other Innovative
pricing policies In the development of
their facility plans.
are adequate so that this option will
not be Implemented.
5. Inflow/Infiltration Analyses; In order EPA has determined that Its existing
to reduce the Infiltration of saline regulations and guidance 1n this area
ground water Into sewer systems, which
may Impede wastewater reclamation and
reuse, and to reduce the level of inflow
into sewer system, which may negate the
economic benefits of flow reduction
measures, EPA could require or
encourage more rigorous sewer subsystem
infiltration and Inflow analyses.
6. Sewer Ordinance Criteria: In order to
reduce the Infiltration of saline
ground water into sewer systems which
may Impede wastewater reclamation and
reuse, EPA could Issue regulations
specifying minimum construction,
testing and materials criteria
for new sewer construction in high
ground water areas.
EPA has determined that Its existing
guidance on new sewer construction is
adequate and sufficient. This option
will not be implemented.
xiv
-------
7. Training: Public acceptance of waste- EPA will Issue guidance implementing
water reclamation and reuse 1s dependent this option by October 1980.
to a degree on well operated, Incident
free systems. EPA could encourage states
to utilize a portion of their S109(b) grant
funds to conduct a reclamation and reuse
training program.
8. Public Information and Education Program; EPA will develop an expanded program
EPA could expand its 5214 public 1nfor- -by October 1980. Program elements
mation and education program on the will be implemented as funds and
land treatment, recycling and reuse of resources permit.
wastewater and flow reduction measures.
-------
all assigned tasks of an approval plan 1n
Environmental Protection Agency
State and Areawide Water Quality Management Grants
Option Implementation
1. Management Agency Authority: Upon EPA published revised final water
f
approval of a water quality management quality management regulations on
plan, only management agencies deslgnat- May 23, 1979 that require that agencies
ed by the plan may receive construction have sufficient authority to Implement
grants. EPA could revise Its water
quality management regulations to order to be designated.""
require' that designated management agen-
cies have sufficient authority to imple-
ment or assure implementation of all
tasks assigned them by the plan. These
tasks could include any flow reduction
measures associated with a construction
grant project.
2. Priority Systems; EPA could revise its
regulations and guidance to water
quality management agencies encouraging
them to make recommendations to the
States on priority systems and lists
in such areas as study area boundaries,
capacity expansion projects that could
be accomplished by flow reduction, and
projects where flow reduction and
reclamation and reuse are particularly
relevant.
EPA issued revised final regulations
on May 23, 1979 implementing this
option*
xv1
-------
3. Planning: Guidance could be Issued to
water quality management planning
agencies encouraging them to determine
the boundaries of water short areas and
4
the relationship between water quantity
and water quality in such areas,
including a water quality-quantity
budget where necessary.
4. Water Conservation Plan: Water quality
management regulations and guidance
could be revised to encourage agencies
to prepare a water conservation plan
whenever water quality is adversely
affected by an inadequate quantity
of water.
EPA issued revised regulations implement-
ing this option on May 23, 1979?
5. Funding of Agricultural BMP's: The
Clean Water Act authorized funds to
assist farmers in implementing approved
best management practices. EPA could
aggressively assist the Department of
Agriculture in the selection of best
management practices for fundina.
EPA is implementing this option.
xvii
-------
6. Permit Conditions: EPA could revise its
water quality management regulations to
encourage agencies to develop flow
reduction measures for inclusion in
discharge permits.
EPA issued revised final regulations
implementing this option on Hay 23, 1979.
7. Planning Consistency: EPA could revise EPA issued revised final regulations
its water quality management regulations implementing this option on May 23, 1979.
to require facility plans to be consist-
ent with adopted and approved water quality
management plans. Consistency could
include flow reduction measures and
per capita flows.
*In August 1979, EPA decided to focus
the limited resources of the Water
Quality Management (208) program on
the control of non-point source .
pollution. Accordingly, implementation
guidance initially contemplated for
municipal, point sources pollution
problems, will not be issued.
xvm
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
State Pollution Control Program Grants
Option
1. Water Conservation Eligibility: EPA
program grant regulations and guidance
could be revised to state that the
Implementation of water conservation
measures 1s an eligible cost when
provided for 1n the State-EPA
agreement.
Implementation
EPA Issued revised final regulations
Implementing this option on May 23, 1979.
If sufficient questions arise on these
regulations, EPA will Issue additional
guidance.
2. Coordination: EPA could require or
encourage water quality and water
resources agencies to coordinate In
such areas as the quantity and quality
aspects of water resource plans; water
rights and allocation decisions; water
conservation plans; and decisions
affecting minimum Instream flows and
ground-water elevations, reclamation
and reuse. EPA could address this
Issue and develop recommendations
through the Section 102(d) Water
Allocation-Water Quality Coordination
Study which 1s to be submitted to the
Congress.
EPA has determined that 1t cannot
require such coordination; however,
the 1980 State-EPA agreement guidance
encourages coordination of environmental
programs. Additional guidance encouraging
coordination will be issued to State water
quality agencies by October 1979. Water
resources-water quality agency coordinatic:
will be thoroughly discussed and recommend
atlons presented in the EPA Section 102fd)
study to be published in the fall of 19§0.
xix
-------
3. Water Quantity Criteria; EPA could
Issue regulations or guidance requiring
or encouraging States to adopt quantity
criteria, such as minimum stream flows,
*
ground water elevations or surrogates,
as part of water quality standards.
EPA will encourage States to adopt
water quantity criteria as part of
water quality standards. EPA 1s
presently reviewing Its water quality
standards regulations and will determine
whether to go beyond encouragement as part
of this review. No date for completion
of this review 1s available.
4. Water Quality Report: EPA could revise
Its regulations or guidance to expand
the scope of the water quality report
prepared biennially by each State to
Include ground-water quality problems
and both surface and ground-water
quality problems caused by an
Inadequate quantity of water.
EPA Issued guidance on March 8, 1979
encouraging States to expand the report
scope.
xx
-------
Environments:! Protection Agency
Water Allocation-Water Quality Coordination Study
Option Implementation
1. Report to Congress; The EPA Section EPA will address these Issues 1n the
102(d) Water Allocation-Water Quality study, which will be submitted to the
Coordination Study could address the Congress In the fall of 1980.
relationship of water conservation to
the water quality-water quantity Issue.
In particular, Instream flow and ground
water criteria and management, consumptive
waste treatment technology, agricultural
water use, and water law could be
evaluated.
Lead EPA Water Conservation Office
\
2. Implementation Oversight: EPA could EPA has designated the Water Planning
establish a lead office for EPA's water Division, Office of Water Program
conservation activities to Insure timely Operationsas lead EPA water conservation
Implementation of the water conservation office (Mr. Peter Wise, 202 755-6965).
measures contained 1n this report, and
to provide a contact point for the
public.
xx 1
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
Clean Lakes Program
Option
1. Grant Conditions: EPA could condition EPA has determined that this option
Its Clean Lakes grants on the develop- would yield minimal water conservation
ment and Implementation of community and will therefore not Implement It.
water conservation programs.
xxii
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
Water Pollution Control Regulations
Option
1. Background
NPDES Permit Program
Implementation
2. Economic Incentive: Waste collection, Revised final NPDES permit regulations
conveyance, treatment and disposal costs were Issued on June 7, 1979.
are generally related to the volume of
water in which the wastes are dissolved
or suspended. The NPDES permit program
provides permittees with an economic
Incentive to conserve water.
3. Protection: The protection of surface
and groundwater supplies from contami-
nation by Improper waste disposal 1s a
means of water conservation*. The
provision of program grants to approved
states to Implement the NPDES permit
program encourages such water conserva-
tion.
Revised final NPDES permit regulations
were Issued on June 7, 1979. The
Issuance of program grants to States to
Implement State permit programs continues.
4. Permit Conditions: NPDES regulations
could provide for the Inclusion of
those water quality management and
facility plan flow reduction measures
In Section 402 NPDES permits that
would result 1n water quality benefits.
Revised final NPDES permit regulations
contain such provisions.
XX111
-------
5. Best Management Practices: NPDES regula- Revised final NPDES permit regulations
tlons could provide for the tncorpora- contain such provisions.
tlon of requirements for Best Management
Practices (treatment requirements, opera-
tion and schedule of activities ancillary
to Industrial manufacturing or treatment
processes which may result 1n the runoff,
spillage, leakaqa or drainage of a toxic
or hazardous pollutant.
6. Effluent Guidelines: Section 301(b)(2)(A) Already Implemented.
of the Clean Water Act states that
effluent limitations shall require
best available technology economi-
cally achievable for non-publlcly
owned treatment works. Secftion 304
(b)(2)(B) requires EPA to specify
factors to be taken into account 1n
determining the best measures and
practices necessary to the achieve-
ment of such limitations. EPA could
specify water conservation as one
of the factors.
xxiv
-------
7. Standards of Performance: In developing Already Implemented.
National Standards of Performance for
new sources of pollution, EPA could
consider reducing or eliminating the
quantity of effluent discharged.
8. Pollutant Expression: EPA could express, Already Implemented. Guidance for
where possible, NPDES permit limitations developing new or revised effluent
1n terms of pollutant mass and concen- guidelines will be Issued by October 1979.
tratlon Instead of only concentration.
9. Conditioning Compliance Schedule: EPA Revised final NPDES permit regulations
could revise NPDES permit regulations to contain such provisions.
provide for the conditioning of certain
Section 301(1) Industrial permit
compliance schedule extensions on
Implementation of flow reduction
measures.
xxv
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
Water Pollution Control Regulations - Section 404 Dredge and Ftll Permits
Option Implementation
1. Permit Conditions; EPA could issue This option will not be implemented
guidance or regulations to insure that because such regulations and guidance
water conservation is taken into account are beyond the statutory intent. Other
in any State or Corps of Engineers
Section 404 permit or State Section
208(b)(4)(B) regulatory program
governing projects proposing to
construct instream facilities to
divert or otherwise modify stream
flow. Permits could be conditioned
on an evaluation of water conserva-
tion measures in project planning
and implementation of cost-effective
measures.
means, including the National Environmental
Policy Act, are available to address
these issues.
xxvi
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
Safe Dr-fnklng Water Act
Option
1. Background
Implementation
2. Distribution System Leakage; EPA could EPA will Issue guidance encouraging
Issue guidance or regulations providing States and EPA Regions to Identify
for State review of distribution system significant leakage problems In
leakage as part of sanitary surveys. sanitary surveys. The guidance will
also Identify funding sources for
correction. The guidance'wHl be
issued by October 1979.
3. Economic Incentive: EPA underground
Injection control regulations will
Increase waste disposal costs and
thereby provide an economic Incentive
for water conservation.
EPA will Issue final underground
Injection control program regulations
1n January 1980. EPA Is presently
issuing grants to States to develop
and Implement State programs.
4. Protection; EPA underground Injection EPA will Issue final regulations in
control program regulations will protect January 1980. EPA 1s presently issuing
and thereby conserve ground water grants to States to develop and
supplies. Implement State programs.
-------
5. Report to Congress: EPA Is preparing
a Water Supply-Wastewater Coordination
Study for submission' to the Congress.
Thls^study could examine whether water
supply shortages win occur, coordi-
nated water supply-wastewater planning
as a means of extending supplies, and,
the availability and Implementation of
water conservation measures.
EPA will submit this report to Congress
1n December 1980 addressing these Issues
xxvlli
-------
Environmental Protection Agency
Research and Development Program
Option Implementation
1. Water Conservation: Section 104(o) of Due to budgetary constraints, no
the Clean Water Act provides for water additional funds for water conservation
conservation research and Issuance of an research can be committed at this time.
annual report to Congress. EPA could Report to Congress will be Issued in the
commit additional funds to water conser- fall of 1979.
vatlon research and issue report to
Congress.
2. Reclamation and Reuse: Section 105(d)
of the Clean Water Act provides for
wastewater reclamation and recycling
research. EPA could commit additional
funds for research and demonstration
projects. Non-potable research funding
is presently about $140,000/year.
Primary EPA emphasis in this area 1s
potable reuse. Due to budgetary con-
straints, no additional funds can be
committed at this time.
3. Agriculture; Section 105(e) of the
Clean Water Act provides for research
and demonstration projects to prevent,
reduce and eliminate agricultural
pollution. EPA could commit additional
funds to research and demonstration
projects for agricultural best
management practices.
Due to budgetary constraints no additional
funds can be committed at this tlm.e
xxlx
-------
4. Thermal Pollution; Section 104(f) of The most significant of the research
the Clean Water Act provides for needs will be met.
research and demonstration projects to
evaluate methods, and their effects, for
the control of thermal discharges. The
effective utilization and conservation
of fresh water is to be considered. EPA
could commit additional funds for this
research.
xxx
-------
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Community Development Block Grant Program
Urban Development Action Grants
Small Cities Discretionary Grant Program
Option
1. Eligibility; HUD regulations could be
revised to specifically provide for the
eligibility of water conservation
activities.
Implementation
HUD will Implement this option,
2. Water Conservation Plans: HUD could
request certification or assurance
that water conservation plans would
be adopted In those Instances 1n which
HUD provides funding for water supply,
water treatment or water collection
i
systems.
HUD policy 1s to avoid the imposition
of added certification or assurance
not specifically mandated by law.
Accordingly, this option will not be
implemented.
3. Minimum Property Standards; HUD's
Minimum Property Standards do not
currently include water conservation
standards for devices, applicances,
plumbing, and fixtures. Where
substantial rehabilitation and new
construction is undertaken with block
grant funds, HUD could implement
Minimum Property Standard changes and
recommendations of the Housing Task
Force on Water Conservation.
xxx 1
HUD will implement this option.
-------
4. Consistent Requirements; HUD Block Grant HUD will implement this option.
funds are often used to supplement
funding from other task force agencies.
If the requirements of the agencies
differ on water conservation,
implementation will be impeded.
Where HUD block grant funds are used
to match funds to undertake water
conservation activities principally
funded by other agencies, the
guidelines of those agencies will
be followed to the extent they are
not inconsistent with HUD statutory
authority or regulations.
xxx ii
-------
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Comprehensive Planning Assistance Program (701)
Option
1. Planning^ Water and wastev/ater system
planning is strongly influenced by
comprehensive planning programs, such
as 7Q1. HUD could encourage or require
states, local or regional government
to address water conservation needs
in plan development.
Implementation
This matter is still under considera-
tion.
*U S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1980 311-132/68
xxxiii
------- |