Water Conservation
Water Conservation
Water conservation focuses on taking action to improve the effectiveness of water use through various means, such as choosing to change behavior by using those fixtures and appliances less. Water efficiency often refers to the state of water use in a community, and higher levels of efficiency implies the community uses less according to metrics such as gallons per person per day or gallons per acre of irrigated area.
Resources
Enforcement Mechanisms: Moving Beyond Local Ordinances for Water Utilities
The Enforcement Mechanisms: Moving Beyond Local Ordinances for Water Utilities guidebook will help you understand alternative enforcement mechanisms and selection methodology, explore real-world case studies highlighting diverse enforcement approaches, including their successes, challenges, and lessons learned, and identify actionable strategies and tailored solutions for implementing effective enforcement mechanisms in your own utility.
M60 Drought Preparedness and Response
M60 Drought Preparedness and Response is designed to help water managers who are facing water shortages. The manual illustrates the use of demonstrated methods of the past as well as the use of new tools and methods. This edition includes more examples of how water suppliers dealt with multi-year droughts by implementing changes to their programs from year to year or in response to different challenges.
Technical Resources
Reports
Manuals
AWWA Standards
Enforcement Mechanisms: Moving Beyond Local Ordinances for Water Utilities
Read the Report
Designing and Evaluating Effective and Ongoing Drought Communication
Read the Report
Increasing consumer benefits & engagement in AMI-based conservation programs
Read the Report
Increasing consumer benefits & engagement in AMI-based conservation programs: Guidebook for Practitioners
Read the Report
2016 National Survey of CII Water Efficiency Programs
Read the Report
Load More
M36 Water Audits and Loss Control Programs
Each year millions of gallons of water are lost to leakage, meter error, and water theft – impacting a utilities bottom line. This manual paired with AWWA’s free Water Audit Software gives you everything you need to greatly improve your water loss program.
Get the Manual
M50 Water Resources Planning
This comprehensive, how-to manual and guide demonstrates how to produce a long term Integrated Resource Plan for a water utility. It helps water resources planners develop and implement a comprehensive work plan that responds to technical and institutional questions that must be addressed before deciding how to develop new water supplies.
Get the Manual
M52 Water Conservation Programs
This manual provides water utilities and other industry professionals with the skills and information to develop, implement, and measure the success of a water conservation program.
Get the Manual
M60 Drought Preparedness and Response
This manual will help water managers facing water shortages by illustrating how to employ tried-and-true strategies and tactics of drought mitigation, as well as introducing new tools and methods.
Get the Manual
Advertisement
Events With a Focus on Water Conservation
See All Events
Water Quality Technology Conference
Discover the latest science, research, and engineering and solutions to fight drinking water contamination.
November 9-13, 2025
Tacoma, WA
Annual Conference & Expo
The world of water is finite. Find new ways to protect and conserve.
June 21-24, 2026
Washington, D.C.
Related Resources
Water Conservation for Small- and Medium-Sized Utilities
Learn about sustainability with this practical guide to water conservation programs for small to medium-sized water utilities. Written for utilities serving fewer than 100,000 customers, this book provides practical advice and guidance for implementing a water conservation program.
Read More
Total Water Management: Practices for a Sustainable Future
Total water management is the exercise of stewardship and shared governance of water resources among utilities, business, and government for the greatest good of society and the environment.
Read More
Using Reclaimed Water to Augment Potable Water Resources
The ideal guidebook to help you understand all the water reuse issues–technical, economic, regulatory, and social–you should know to make an informed decision.
Read More
Forecasting Urban Water Demand, Second Edition
Practical, detailed approaches for developing accurate water demand forecasts.
Get the Book
AWWA Policy Statements
AWWA’s policy statements are brief statements on protecting and improving water supply, water quality, management, and the interests of the public and the environment. They are written by consensus, subject to review and comment by AWWA committees, councils, and members. Because they represent AWWA’s position on these matters, they are approved by the AWWA Executive Committee of the board of directors.
Technical Committee Engagement
AWWA members are recognized globally for their industry expertise and their generosity in sharing that expertise for a better world through better water. AWWA members participate in committee activities, developing conference programs, writing technical manuals, developing standards, creating educational content and contributing to AWWA publications. Committee members primarily interact through conference calls, emails, and face to face meetings at conferences and events.
Standards Committee for Water Conservation Practices
Communication, Education & Legislation
Planning, Evaluation & Research
Water Efficiency Programs & Technology
Advertisement
