United States 20W-0002
Environmental Protection July 1990
Agency
OW (WH-556)~ OPPE IPM-2~227
Preventing
Pollution
Through
Efficient Water
Use
How Efficient Water Use
Helps Prevent Pollution
Other Reasons to Use
Water Wisely
What Individuals
Can Do
What Communities
Can Do
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How Efficient Water Use Helps Prevent Pollution
Using water more efficiently can help prevent pollution as well as protect and conserve our finite water
resources. More efficient water use by you and your community has many other benefits.
Fewer Pollutants
>& Using less water reduces the amount of waste-
water discharged into our lakes, streams, rivers,
and marine waters.
cs- The amount of pollutants wastewater carries can
also be reduced, as treatment efficiency improves.
"3r Recycled process water can reduce pollutants
from industry.
KS- More efficient irrigation can minimize runoff of
agricultural pollutants and reduce the use of
fertilizers and pesticides.
Protection of Aquatic Habitats
isr Building fewer and smaller new water projects
can help preserve wetlands, which naturally
treat pollutants.
£5° Diverting less water preserves more streamflow
to maintain a healthy aquatic environment.
Protection of Drinking Water Sources
ess1 Less pumping of groundwater lowers the chance
that pollutants will be drawn into a water supply
well.
IST With less water use, septic system performance
can improve, reducing the risk of groundwater
contamination.
Mr Highest quality water sources are preserved for
drinking water by using treated wastewater for
other uses.
Energy Conservation
PJP Efficient water use means less power needed to
pump and treat water and wastewater.
e«" Less water use reduces the amount of energy
required for heating hot water.
cr Less energy demand results in fewer harmful by-
products from power plants.
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Other Reasons to Use
Water Wisely
Preventing pollution is only one reason why using
water efficiently makes sense. Here are a few more:
Money Saved
«• Less water use results in fewer pumping and
treatment costs.
•» Saving money on water and wastewater opera-
tions frees money for meeting water quality,
public health and water treatment goals.
«• Water saved is also energy, and money, saved for
you and your community.
Improved Reliability
«• Water conservation provides a hedge against
drought impacts.
«*• Improving water efficiency may be quicker and
cheaper than developing a new supply,
»• Reduced water use may extend the life of your
water or wastewater facility.
«• Reduced water use may increase the efficiency of
wastewater treatment, and reduce overflows
during storms.
«" Communities which use water efficiently are
better prepared to cope with effects of possible
future climate change.
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What Individuals Can Do
More efficient water use begins with individuals, in
the home and place of work. Taking these and other
steps, and encouraging others to do so, makes good
economic as well as environmental sense.
In The Home
«• Install a toilet dam or plastic bottle in your toilet
tank.
«r Install a water-efficient showerhead (2.5 gallons
or less per minute).
»• When you buy a new toilet, purchase a low flow
model (1.6 gallons or less per flush).
Outdoors
**• Water in the morning or evening, to minimize
evaporation.
•*" Install a drip-irrigation watering system for
valuable plants.
•*• Use drought-tolerant plants and grasses for land-
scaping, and reduce grass-covered areas.
At Work or School
«" Adopt the same water-saving habits that are
effective at home.
a* Ask about installing water-efficient equipment
and reducing outdoor water use.
w Encourage employers to explore the use of
recycled "gray-water" or reclaimed wastewater.
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What Communities Can Do
A water supplier or wastewater system operator (public or private) has cost-effective options to process and,
deliver water more efficiently. A community can do the same, and can foster ways to use water wisely.
Not all of these steps are expensive. The best choices vary by region and by community: start by asking if
these are appropriate where you live and work.
A Water Supplier or Wastewater
Processor Can:
os* Identify who uses water, and reduce unac-
counted-for water use.
"S" Find and repair leaking pipes.
"3* Consider a new pricing scheme which encour-
ages conservation.
1®° Reduce excess pressure in water lines.
i®' Explore the reuse of treated wastewater for uses
other than drinking water.
"®° Charge hookup fees which encourage more
efficient water use in new buildings.
i®' Build water efficiency into future demand pro-
jections, facility planning, and drought plan-
ning.
A Community Can:
"3" Adopt plumbing and building codes that require
water-efficient equipment and practices.
"5° Adopt a water-efficient landscaping ordinance to
reduce the water used for golf courses and com-
mercial landscapes.
if Retrofit older buildings with water-efficient
equipment, starting with public buildings.
<®" Reduce municipal water use for landscaping and
other uses.
f Conduct a public education campaign.
i®" Require developers to build in water efficiency
measures.
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EPA
For more information on what you and your
community can do to use water more
efficiently, contact;
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
For more information on pollution
prevention programs at U.S. EPA, contact:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office off Pollution Prevention
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
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