Question:
Our community has hit a state of what we’re calling “conservation
fatigue.”
People
are tired of our ongoing efforts to combat a recent drought. Do you have any
advice for inspiring new interest in conservation programs?
Answer:
Conservation
Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): A condition of weariness that can exist from prolonged
mandatory water restrictions coupled with the far-reaching results of poor
planning. Communities with this condition can become reluctant to embrace
long-term water conservation programs, such as indoor fixture retrofits, as
preventative measures. Further, some with this condition have a tendency to use
more water than before, especially on their lawns. This condition can easily
flare up again when the water provider develops apathy and does little to help
prevent the syndrome from recurring.
Many
regions in the US that are typically considered water-rich are dealing with
prolonged periods of drought and water shortages. Water suppliers are imposing
mandatory restrictions on use while agricultural, industrial, and other water
users are scrambling to find ways to continue doing business with little or no
rainfall. On top of that, the troubled economy adds more insult to the injury,
caused by the economic effects of droughts and water shortages. It’s no wonder
that many communities are feeling tired and fatigued—CFS.
Although
water providers and communities have to determine the best way to navigate
through their current droughts and shrinking budgets, implementing a
comprehensive water conservation program can lessen the effects of CFS, or even
prevent your utility and community from contracting CFS in the future.
Rehab
the Misperceptions
Perceptions
about water conservation must be changed. Think of it as going through water
conservation rehab. Conservation is understandably perceived negatively when
there is no action until a crisis like a drought occurs. Long-term, targeted
education and outreach campaigns must be implemented to help inform your
customers about their water use, water supply, and the regional impacts of
excessive use. Simply stated, your customers must first be made aware before
they can start to care. Water providers must rehab the way they perceive water
conservation, too. Many water providers allow themselves to be stuck in a
paradigm about conservation. They assume that conservation just doesn’t work,
kills utility revenues, costs too much, or is unreliable compared to developing
new sources. Changing how both providers and end-users think about water
conservation is the first step on the road to recovery from CFS.
Plan
for Sustainability and Success
Every
water provider should have a written water conservation plan appropriate for the
utility. A water conservation plan can be thought of as a utility’s course of
treatment to prevent CFS. For an added dose of prevention, a water conservation
plan should be incorporated into the utility’s water supply planning strategy.
Linking water conservation plans with utility supply plans and demand forecasts
will help promote sustainable supplies. There are numerous technical resources
available to utilities at little or no cost to help develop comprehensive water
conservation plans. Guides to help utilities develop water conservation plans
can be obtained from the US EPA, many state regulatory agencies and water
efficiency clearinghouses, American Water Works Association, and Alliance for
Water Efficiency. Some states have statewide water conservation programs or
plans that can be a valuable resource as planning tools for local water
providers. Washington, Texas, Oregon, New Jersey, Colorado, California, Florida,
and Georgia are some examples.
For
a conservation plan to be successful, someone within the organization must be
responsible for coordinating the various aspects of the water conservation
program. Water providers should add a water conservation coordinator position
within their management structure. Conservation coordinators not only coordinates the internal
operations of a program, they can also manage contracted conservation service
providers to deliver cost-effective measures, such as residential and commercial
retrofit programs, education programs, auditing, and fulfillment services.
Making the investments in planning and professional program coordination will
help promote program acceptance and cost effectiveness—and prevent CFS.
Turn
Your Plan Into a Funded Program
Keep
your defenses up against CFS by developing your conservation plan into a
cost-effective program for your utility. Although all conservation measures will
save water, you should only select and implement those measures that are
practical and cost beneficial for your utility. Be prepared to evaluate all
water savings, energy savings, costs, and other data to make your programs
statistically sound and justifiable. As your programs progress, plan to adjust
your program and possibly your plan, based on results obtained. Of course, you
have to have a budget to fund these programs. Allocating a portion of
higher-tier water revenues is one way to fund conservation programs. Marginal
cost pricing or budget-based rates are other options.
Promote
the Benefits of Conservation
The
reality of water conservation is that proper planning and data analysis,
combined with appropriate programming, technology, ratemaking, and marketing,
will prompt strong support from the community, water managers, community
leaders, and other stakeholders. Water conservation programs, if planned and
managed effectively, are almost always affordable and promote revenue stability.
Costs to implement water conservation programs can range from $0.30 to about
$1.40 per 1,000 gallons saved, depending on the program. Remember to always
account for the embedded energy costs in your water costs. Conservation programs
should always be implemented when the utility’s cost of water is higher than the
unit cost of saved water. With proper management, revenue loss from water
conservation programs can be avoided altogether. Water conservation programs can
defer, and possibly eliminate, the need for additional capitol facilities for
water and wastewater. Well-managed programs also lessen the gap between demands
and available supplies. Promoting the many benefits of water conservation will
help eliminate CFS from spreading in the future.
Water
conservation is a valuable tool in water resource and supply management.
Effective conservation programs provide for many economic, operational,
environmental, and social benefits when planned and managed well. Many water
providers are starting to realize that the costs of water conservation programs
are far cheaper than the costs of CFS and its many symptoms.