Water Use Efficiency
Water is a precious, limited resource. In the Pacific
Northwest, water for our growing population competes with other
users that often depend on the same water source. Other uses can
include agriculture, industry, recreation and maintaining an
adequate streamflow for fish. Using water efficiently is
particularly important during summer months when it rains less
and user demand is high.
The Water Use Efficiency (WUE) program increases awareness
about how the efficient use of water strengthens the
relationship between the reliability and safety of our water
supplies. Using water efficiently is a “proactive approach”
to protecting public health.
Water systems can help prevent potential health risks to
their customers by effectively planning and implementing WUE
measures, which means fewer emergencies when water supplies are
scarce. Our WUE program enhances our ability to accomplish our
mission to ensure safe and reliable water.
When the Washington State Legislature passed the 2003
Municipal Water Law
(MWL) to reform the state's water laws, it accomplished two
things:
- Added flexibility in the use of municipal water rights
to serve growing communities and eliminated some of the risk
of losing those municipal rights to the state.
- In exchange for this water right flexibility, the law
requires municipalities to use water efficiently and
required the Department of Health to adopt a Water Use
Efficiency Rule.
What are the Requirements?
Washington State has one of the most comprehensive regulatory
WUE programs in the nation by requiring municipal water
suppliers to demonstrate their efficient use of water.
Specifically, municipal waters must:
- Publicly establish water saving goals specifically
directed towards their customers.
- Evaluate or implement specific water saving measures to
achieve customer goals.
- Develop a WUE planning program to support the
established goals.
- Install meters on all customer connections by January
22, 2017.
- Meet a 10 percent water loss standard.
- Report annually on progress towards achieving goals and
water loss.
What is the Purpose of the Water Use Efficiency Rule?
Water systems must have a reliable supply of water to meet
current and future needs. Using water efficiently helps water
systems protect against:
- Temporary water service interruptions during peak usage.
- Long-term or repeated water disruptions due to limited
water supply.
- Contamination of the water supply due to leaky pipes.
The WUE requirements also achieve the following:
- Contribute to long-term water supply reliability.
- Promote good stewardship of the state's water resources.
- Ensure efficient operation and management of water
systems.
- Reduce energy needs and save money.
Who is Affected by the Water Use Efficiency Rule?
Following a June 11, 2008 superior court decision, the rule
requirements only apply to governmentally owned Group A
community water systems. For now, private water systems don’t
have to meet all of the requirements. See our
MWL Legal Challenges page.
For More Information
If you have any questions, please
contact
Michael Dexel at (360)
236-3154. |
