Revised AWWA Policy Statement on Water Efficiency and Conservation

The AWWA Policy Statement on Water Efficiency and Conservation was revised and then approved by the Technical & Educational Council. The latest revision is now available for member comment.  

Comments on the policy statement will be reviewed by AWWA staff and forwarded to the Executive Committee if the comments are minor, or referred back to the originating body if the comments are substantive. Policies forwarded to the Executive Committee will be reviewed for approval and final action.

Revised AWWA Policy Statement on Water Efficiency and Conservation

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) supports the efficient use and management of water resources at all levels in society. Water utilities are encouraged to support and adopt codes, policies, procedures, and programs that integrate demand management with supply side management. AWWA supports the adoption of a variety of water conservation principles and practices for all types of potable and non-potable water supplies and classes of water users.

Utilities should use comprehensive integrated water resource planning to make full use of conserved water and participate in regional coordination and integration efforts. Water conserved through demand management should be viewed as an alternative source of water that provides multiple benefits (e.g. growth, environmental flows, expanded economic uses). In many cases, it is the least cost option for a new source of supply. Additionally, utilities should work with other agencies to adopt and implement efficient water use practices and land use policies.

Utilities should demonstrate leadership for water efficiency and conservation by implementing efficient water use practices in all utility facilities and evaluate the efficiency of raw water conveyance, treatment, and distribution systems. This includes the use of accurate metering from the source, annual water loss audits (quality control reviewed), and a comprehensive non-revenue management program. Utilities should accurately meter, monitor, and track all consumption data and use full-cost pricing and conservation rate structures for potable and non-potable water that include clear rate increases between tiers. Customer meter reading and billing should occur as frequently as feasible – ideally at least monthly – with clearly labeled consumption units. 

Utilities should evaluate and implement or promote cost-effective and beneficial water efficiency and conservation practices for customer end uses (residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and agricultural). This includes the conversion of high water-use plumbing fixtures, appliances, and equipment to highly efficient designs; the promotion of efficient irrigation; and the use of climate-appropriate landscape materials. Where feasible, utilities should also offer services such as water-use assessments for indoor and outdoor uses and technical assistance to their customers for those services.

Utilities should support education and public information on local water resource issues, water efficiency, and conservation to increase awareness of customer water use. In addition, there are opportunities for development and implementation of appropriate water efficiency certification programs, standards, and codes for plumbing fixtures and appliances, as well as outdoor uses of water. Utilities should encourage appropriate onsite water reuse, consistent with the protection of public health. Utilities should also support continued research into efficient water use practices.

AWWA members should encourage efficient water practices in their own facilities and operations, educate their customers and clients on the importance of water use efficiency, and promote building and product designs that both encourage more sustainable water use and respond to reductions in water demand.

Practices specified in this policy statement are consistent with all other AWWA policy statements.

Adopted by the Board of Directors Jan. 27, 1991, and revised Jan. 31, 1993, and June 15, 1997, and reaffirmed Jan. 20, 2002. This policy statement was approved by the Administrative & Policy Council on Sept. 28, 2007, and by the Executive Committee on Nov. 3, 2007. It was reaffirmed Jan. 2011 and revised June 8, 2014, and October 24, 2018. Date to be updated upon approval.

Submit comments by July 25, 2025.