Water efficiency
Encyclopedia
Water efficiency can be defined as:
Though the two are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between water conservation and water efficiency. Water efficiency differs from water conservation in that it focuses on reducing waste. A proposition is that the key for efficiency is reducing waste, not restricting use. It also emphasises the influence consumers can have in water efficiency by making small behavioural changes to reduce water wastage and by choosing more water efficient products. Examples of water efficient steps includes fixing leaking taps, taking showers rather than baths, installing displacements devices inside toilet cisterns, and using dishwashers and washing machines with full loads. These are things that fall under the definition of water efficiency, as their purpose is to obtain the desired result or level of service with the least necessary water.
, if present levels of consumption continue, two-thirds of the global population will live in areas of water stress by 2025. Increasing human demand for water coupled with the effects of climate change mean that the future of our water supply is not secure. As of now, 2.6 billion people do not have safe drinking water. Added to this, are the changes in climate, population growth and lifestyles. The changes in human lifestyle and activities require more water per capita. This tightens the competition for water amongst agricultural, industrial, and human consumption.
The Alliance for Water Efficiency, Waterwise, the California Urban Water Conservation Council, the Savewater! Alliance in Australia, and the WaterBucket in Canada are some non-governmental organizations that promote or support water efficiency at national and regional levels.
Governmental organisations such as Environment Canada
, the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), the Environment Agency
in the United Kingdom
, the Department of the Environment and Water Resources in Australia
, among others, have recognized and created policies and strategies to raise water efficiency awareness. US EPA created its WaterSense
program to encourage water efficiency in the United States through the use of a special label on consumer products.
A part of the industry sector has also recognised the benefits of water efficiency. Such journals as the Water Efficiency Journal from the US, Water Efficient Solutions Journal and Water Energy and Environment Magazine from the UK, all mainly directed towards the industrial and professional sectors, attest to the growing consciousness of the need to develop more water efficient solutions.
Utilities can also modify their billing software to track customers who have taken advantage of various utility sponsored water conservation initiatives (toilet rebates, irrigation rebates, etc.) to see which initiatives provide the greatest water savings for the least cost.
- The accomplishment of a function, task, process, or result with the minimal amount of water feasible;
- An indicator of the relationship between the amount of water required for a particular purpose and the amount of water used or delivered.
Though the two are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between water conservation and water efficiency. Water efficiency differs from water conservation in that it focuses on reducing waste. A proposition is that the key for efficiency is reducing waste, not restricting use. It also emphasises the influence consumers can have in water efficiency by making small behavioural changes to reduce water wastage and by choosing more water efficient products. Examples of water efficient steps includes fixing leaking taps, taking showers rather than baths, installing displacements devices inside toilet cisterns, and using dishwashers and washing machines with full loads. These are things that fall under the definition of water efficiency, as their purpose is to obtain the desired result or level of service with the least necessary water.
Importance
According to the Second UN World Water Development ReportUN World Water Development Report
The United Nations World Water Development Report is a global report that provides an authoritative, comprehensive assessment of the world’s freshwater resources...
, if present levels of consumption continue, two-thirds of the global population will live in areas of water stress by 2025. Increasing human demand for water coupled with the effects of climate change mean that the future of our water supply is not secure. As of now, 2.6 billion people do not have safe drinking water. Added to this, are the changes in climate, population growth and lifestyles. The changes in human lifestyle and activities require more water per capita. This tightens the competition for water amongst agricultural, industrial, and human consumption.
Organizations
In most countries, people have recognized this growing water scarcity problem. Water efficiency, while not yet a major priority in the agendas of governments, has been a growing concern. Global organizations like the World Water Council, the International Water Management Institute, and UNESCO have been promoting water efficiency alongside water conservation.The Alliance for Water Efficiency, Waterwise, the California Urban Water Conservation Council, the Savewater! Alliance in Australia, and the WaterBucket in Canada are some non-governmental organizations that promote or support water efficiency at national and regional levels.
Governmental organisations such as Environment Canada
Environment Canada
Environment Canada , legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment Canada (EC) (French: Environnement Canada), legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment...
, the United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
(EPA), the Environment Agency
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is a British non-departmental public body of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and an Assembly Government Sponsored Body of the Welsh Assembly Government that serves England and Wales.-Purpose:...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the Department of the Environment and Water Resources in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, among others, have recognized and created policies and strategies to raise water efficiency awareness. US EPA created its WaterSense
WaterSense
WaterSense is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program designed to encourage water efficiency in the United States through the use of a special label on consumer products. It was launched in June 2006.-Background:...
program to encourage water efficiency in the United States through the use of a special label on consumer products.
A part of the industry sector has also recognised the benefits of water efficiency. Such journals as the Water Efficiency Journal from the US, Water Efficient Solutions Journal and Water Energy and Environment Magazine from the UK, all mainly directed towards the industrial and professional sectors, attest to the growing consciousness of the need to develop more water efficient solutions.
Residential
According to Waterwise, here are some simple ways to be more water efficient at home:- Turning off the tap while brushing teeth- a running tap can waste over six liters per minute.
- Putting a "hippo" or other displacement device into the toilet cistern.
- Fixing dripping taps. A dripping tap wastes thousands of litres of water a year.
- Using a full load in the dishwasher and washing machine. A person should be sure to buy a water efficient model when buying a new machine.
- Having a short shower instead of a bath.
- Washing fruits and vegetables in a bowl rather than under a running tap.
- Using the leftover water to feed houseplants.
- Using a watering can or a hosepipe with a trigger nozzle instead of a sprinkler.
- Using a bucket and sponge when washing the car rather than a running hosepipe.
Manufacturing
According to Savewater!, these are solutions useful to manufacturers:- Identifying and eliminating wastage (such as leaks) and inefficient processes (such as continual spray devices on stop-start production lines). This may be the most low cost area for water savings, as it involves minimal capital outlay. Savings can be made through implementing procedural changes, such as cleaning plant areas with brooms rather than water.
- Changing processes and plant machinery. A retrofit of key plant equipment may increase efficiency. Alternatively, upgrades to more efficient models can be factored in to planned maintenance and replacement schedules.
- Reusing wastewater. As well as saving on mains water, this option may improve the reliability of supply, whilst reducing trade waste charges and associated environmental risks.
Waterless Products
- Using waterless car wash products to wash cars, boats, motorcycles and bicycles. This could save up to 150 gallons of water per wash.
Utilities
According to US EPA, here are some ideas for communities and utilities:- Implementing a water-loss management program (e.g. locate and repair leaks).
- Utilities should strive for universal metering.
- Ensuring that fire hydrants are tamper proof.
- Equipment changes - Setting a good example by using water efficient equipment.
- Installing faucet aerators and low flow shower heads in municipal buildings.
- Replace worn out plumbing fixtures, appliances and equipment with water-saving models.
- Minimizing the water used in space cooling equipment in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. Shut off cooling units when not needed.
Utilities can also modify their billing software to track customers who have taken advantage of various utility sponsored water conservation initiatives (toilet rebates, irrigation rebates, etc.) to see which initiatives provide the greatest water savings for the least cost.
See also
- Deficit irrigationDeficit irrigationDeficit irrigation is a watering strategy that can be applied by different types of irrigation application methods. The correct application of DI requires thorough understanding of the yield response to water and of the economic impact of reductions in harvest...
- Environmental protectionEnvironmental protectionEnvironmental protection is a practice of protecting the environment, on individual, organizational or governmental level, for the benefit of the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population and our technology the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently...
- Natural resourceNatural resourceNatural resources occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. A natural resource is often characterized by amounts of biodiversity and geodiversity existent in various ecosystems....
- United Nations WaterUN-WaterUN-Water is a mechanism of the United Nations, endorsed in 2003 for the follow-up process of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. Its purpose is to support states in their water-related efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals....
- Water managementWater managementWater management is the activity of planning, developing, distributing and managing the optimum use of water resources. In an ideal world. water management planning has regard to all the competing demands for water and seeks to allocate water on an equitable basis to satisfy all uses and demands...
External links
- http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=lxDB1ZR4DNsC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false Water Conservation for Small- and Medium-Sized Utilities
- http://www.waterwise.org.uk/pages/quick-tips.html - Water Saving Tips
- Water Efficiency A Free Trade Publication
- WaterEC The Water Efficiency Conference