This summary relies in part on information provided by the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, 2002 Environmental Agenda, available at www.mdlcv.org.

Water Conservation Is Needed Now More Than Ever

In many cities and towns, aging infrastructure and continued growth will require massive new expenditures to keep the water flowing. According to the EPA, Maryland operators of public water and wastewater treatment plants, local governments and state agencies will, over the next 20 years, need to invest more than $2 billion (1996 dollars) in order to improve facilities associated with the transmission, treatment and storage of drinking water and wastewater.

Water available from streams, lakes, and groundwater sources is shrinking under the pressures and demands of municipalities, farms, private wells, recreational users. The important plants and animals that sustain the water quality for all the other users also have their basic water needs.

Successful Water Conservation Has Been Proven to Yield Real Results

In Seattle, WA, while conducting a comprehensive water use efficiency program, the city reduced its peak demand from 334 million gallons per day (mgd) in 1990 to 265 mgd in 1996. Water consumption in 1996 was less than that of 1980, even though population increased by more than 20 percent in that time.

The Texas Water Development Board estimates that the use of water-efficient plumbing fixtures should save a typical four-member household 55,800 gallons of water and $627 in lower water and energy (i.e., water heating and pumping) costs per year. The Board also projects that the use of low-flow fixtures might reduce water use statewide by 805 million gallons per day by the year 2040.(1)

According to the EPA, “Water conservation is not a new idea in the United States. In fact, more than 40 states now have some type of water conservation program. Nationwide surveys already indicate more than 80 percent of water utility customers support some form of water conservation measure.”(1)

In the early 1990s, a seven-year drought in California led to the widespread use of ultra-low-flush toilets, water-saving showerheads, and other conservation steps. Californians cut water use by almost 20 percent. The San Diego area alone conserved enough with low-flow toilets last year [2001] to serve suburban Poway (pop. 80,000) for one year.(2)