Water supplyMajor American cities manage water supply better

In an effort to address environmental factors, population growth, and technological factors, many American cities are taking steps to practice better water conservation efforts, after decades of largely ignoring steps that could be taken.

As Next City reports, key cities across the country are involved in the efforts and certain places are standing out as leaders in the charge due to innovative practices.

According to Amy Vickers, a researcherand advocate of urban water conservation and the author of the efficiency requirements for plumbing fixtures for the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992, some cities have made enormous leaps within the last ten to twenty years. These include Boston, Massachusetts, Seattle, Washington, and Texas cities such as Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. Additionally, the Southern Nevada Water Authority(SNWA) near Las Vegas, Nev. has also seen praise.

“In terms of large programs that have done the most, each in their own way has done some great initiatives,” she said of the cities.

According to Vickers, much of what these places have done to conserve involves better regulation of the water usage of individual homes and businesses through the implementation of water-efficient fixtures in bathroom and kitchens. These practices have brought average water use per person each day from fifty-five gallons to something closer at times to thirty to thirty-five gallons. Despite the gradual implementation of more stringent infrastructure indoors, she notes that the majority of waste still occurs outside.

“What’s sticking out like a sore thumb is outdoor water use,” she said, “Over half of urban water use is [this way].”

To combat this, drought-stricken cities such as Dallas have regulated their citizens’ abilities to use water.

“One of the things Dallas has done that has shown a lot of leadership is to go to a two-day watering schedule. I think [savings are] at least 10 percent from that one measure alone.”

The SNWA is also making progress in that regard by providing rebates and incentives for those who replace sprinkler systems in lawns with landscaping and greenery that are water efficient.

“Las Vegas has changed a lot since SNWA has gotten serious about water conservation,’ added Vickers, “Southern Nevada has the largest budget for water reduction in the United States…They’re realized it’s insane to have grass in a desert. They have good analytics on what works and doesn’t work – and they follow up.”

Despite this, urban water conservation remains an uphill battle due to the fact that less water use also means less money for water districts, and the impetus to repair and improve infrastructure can sometimes be lost as many cities face tightening budgets.

As Vickers demonstrates, however, as cities continue to innovate and think openly about how to manage water supplies, new problems can also be met with new solutions.