Approved by the Energy, Environment, and Water Policy Committee on March 18, 2024
Approved by the Public Policy Committee on May 1, 2024
Adopted by the Board of Direction on July 18, 2024

Policy 

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports water conservation and water use efficiency measures as essential elements of sound water resources management. ASCE encourages suppliers, regulators, legislators, and consumers to support laws, regulations, policies, and programs for water conservation that establish:

  • A sustainable balance between demand management and the development of new water sources that is consistent with regional climate conditions.
  • Pricing that reflects the full economic value of water while keeping issues of affordability and access in consideration.
  • Accurate accounting of water volume from points of withdrawal to points of sale through advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), detection, pressure sensors, and other water loss monitoring and measurement techniques.
  • Prioritized repair and rehabilitation of water system infrastructure that produce the greatest reductions in water loss.
  • Water conservation education and sharing of best practices.
  • Research and implementation of efficient water management and conservation use practices, such as reduced-water appliances and fixtures; water reuse and recycling; capture and collection of stormwater; installation of vegetation and landscaping best aligned with local climate conditions; and innovations related to energy production.
  • Targeted emergency water conservation policies and practices during drought conditions.

Issue

Water is a finite resource. Population growth, drought impacts, climate change, groundwater over pumping, deteriorating infrastructure, and wasteful practices have created a water stress condition in numerous locations. Worldwide water demand has more than doubled since 1960, and that pace is accelerating. Water supply shortfalls are forecast to occur in many regions globally, including parts of the United States, by 2030.

Sound management, consistent with the principles of sustainable development, is required to maintain sufficient supplies of water to meet present and future municipal, industrial, agricultural, hydroelectric, and in-stream needs. Water conservation is a critical component of water resources management. Although water conservation programs and policies can originate at any level of government, the primary responsibility for the actual implementation of water conservation measures rests principally with local agencies and users who are impacted by limited water resources. Legislation incorporating water conservation into water resources programs must be sensitive to regional climate conditions. Government agencies and water suppliers should dedicate funding for education and research, as well as for the implementation of effective water conservation practices and techniques.

Rationale

Civil engineers, in collaboration with planners, economists, and policy analysts have incorporated water conservation into water resources management programs at all levels of government. These well-formed programs have resulted in important mutual benefits of conservation for water supply, wastewater flow reduction and energy conservation. By minimizing water waste and loss, water conservation programs help reduce operating costs, lower peak demands on water systems, and defer the need to expand water supply and wastewater systems to satisfy those peak demands. Conservation programs must be formulated considering established institutional frameworks and regional and local conditions and must be based on reliable water use data and sound analysis.

Increased competition for available water supplies provides an additional justification for more intense water conservation efforts. The challenge is to convince the many beneficiaries of water conservation programs (e.g., people, agriculture, business, fishery, wildlife, and recreation interests) that the programs are an essential part of balanced water resources management. Balanced management conserves resources and is cost-effective and environmentally sensitive.

Water conservation, as part of demand management, is a prudent and efficient use of available sources of supply. Water conservation measures are being applied successfully in many localities and regions for a variety of targeted beneficial uses. This is especially true in regions with growing demands, with rising costs and where competition for water supplies is most intense. To supplement long-term effective water management practices, sector-specific short-term plans should be in place and implemented in times of drought or emergency water system outage.

This policy has worldwide application
ASCE Policy Statement 337
First Approved in 1988