5.1 Improving Water Conservation
In a region where water resources are stretched by the increase in development, the most practical
method is to adjust current water use patterns to maximize the existing water supply. Water
conservation measures represent the first best practice related to adapting an existing water supply
to a growing population. However, actual water savings must first be quantified relative to the
implementation of specific conservation measures. Comparing the volume of water savings
associated with each measure to the cost of implementation will determine whether the measure is
both feasible and cost effective. In addition, this comparison will illustrate the degree to which it
can help forestall the development of additional water resources needed to support future
growth.
Monitoring how Loretanos are using water in their residences and businesses should be the first
step in developing a conservation strategy. The most effective way to do this is by installing meters
(which can also provide a means of controlling water use, as described below) for all industrial,
commercial and residential end users of water. Currently only 37% of end users of the water
distribution system have meters installed (Quintero 2006). Increasing the number of meters will
improve the overall understanding of the water system and how the actual water demand is
distributed. While the metering program gets underway, preliminary information can be obtained
through the use of consumer surveys. Such surveys can often reveal users’ underlying water use
preferences and potentially wasteful habits, providing early insight into the types of communitywide
behavior modification that may be needed to achieve real conservation savings.
Aside from these efforts to quantify and understand existing water use, water purveyors (primarily
SAPAL in the Loreto Region) and local governments can also join together to limit future water use
through a combination of public education, institutional modifications and financial incentives.
Examples of such programs that have worked for other communities include:
- Educate directly in public schools, on the value of water conservation. As the population
grows the next generation becomes decision-makers, thus automatically altering water
policy in the future.
- Educate the general public using public service announcements and advertising throughout
the region.
- Offer financial incentives for the public when they are responsible for identifying and
repairing private leaks.
- Apply limits and fees for wasteful activities such as washing driveways and sidewalks
instead of sweeping, watering lawns during the day, etc.
- Institute financial incentive programs for commercial, industrial, and institutional accounts
to participate in and promote conservation in everyday practices.
- Require water purveyors to dedicate a member of their staff as a water conservation
coordinator to centralize conservation efforts, making the program more efficient and
easier for the public to access.
- Institute financial incentives that use a tiered billing system: customers using less water are
rewarded with lower prices.
- Require water purveyors to audit residential customers and make them aware of both their
water usage and their potential to receive incentives or reduced water costs.
- Require that public and large-scale private landscaping consist of drought-resistant plants
native to the region so that supplemental irrigation is not necessary.
- Offer incentives for retrofits of household appliances with reduced water demands, such as
high efficiency washing machines, low flow shower heads, or ultra-low flow toilets.
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