Conservation Below are topic addenda to the WaterMatters' Conservation page. Topics     Conservation Legislation     Sample Regulations     Water Rate Structures     Drought Management     Role of State Government     Xeriscaping     Irrigation Techniques Conservation Legislation In 1991 the Texas legislature passed a law requiring that, beginning in 1992, all new fixtures sold must include water conserving plumbing devices such as 1.6-gallons-per-flush toilets and 2.75 gallons-per-minute shower heads. This legislation has seen its share of debate in Texas, however; find out what the proponents and opponents of this state law have to say about it. Learn about two additional state laws passed in 2001, also intended to help Texans focus on water conservation. page top close window Sample Regulations The following are examples of regulations that could establish water conservation requirements or encourage the more efficient use of water: Retrofit of Plumbing fixtures on Resale - When buildings or houses are sold, all plumbing fixtures would be retrofitted in order to meet current plumbing standards. Irrigation Permitting - Require all new underground irrigation systems to obtain a permit, ensuring that the system be constructed in the most water efficient manner including the installation of a rain shut off switch, wind sensor, check valves, or other water saving equipment. Separate Irrigation meter Requirements - Require all commercial properties including duplexes, triplexes, and four-plexes to install separate irrigation meters so that the property owner could effectively monitor outdoor water use. Waste of Water Regulations - Regulation or ordinances could be passed prohibiting the waste of water such as running an irrigation system with broken heads, heads directed over paved areas, allowing water to run down the street or pond in a parking lot, or other similar events. Landscape Ordinance - A landscape ordinance could be adopted requiring the use of water efficient plants, irrigation systems that have rain shut of switches, etc. Additionally, the ordinance could require that parking lot medians and buffer areas be at least 8 feet wide to prevent water waste. page top close window Water Rate Structures The concept of conservation water rates is based on the idea that the quantity of water demand clearly decreases with increasing water prices. There are four generally accepted conservation rate structures: Uniform Rates - the same rate applies to all water users. Inverted Block Rates - a schedule of rates applicable to blocks of increasing usage in which the usage in each succeeding block is charged at a higher unit rate than in the previous blocks. Seasonal Rates - based on the cost of service variations with respect to system season requirements. For example, a higher unit rate for water many be charged in the summer than for the rest of the year. Marginal Cost Rates - the cost of water is based on the cost of providing the next unit of production such as an increment of plant capacity and supply. Example: If a water utility needed to develop a new source of supply at considerable expense, the charge for all water sold should reflect that cost even though the average could be less. click to enlarge This chart illustrates the rate structures of water providers in 8 major Texas cities. As a customer's water consumption increases (moving from left to right on the chart), so does the price per unit (from bottom to top); however, the steeper the upward slope (or the more rapidly the price increases with additional use), the more the water rate structure encourages a customer to conserve. page top close window Drought Management Q: What is Drought Management and why do we need it? A: Drought management includes short-term measures enacted during times of water shortage. A good example of a temporary measure is when a farmer is paid by a city not to irrigate his/her crop during an especially dry year. The city can use the farmer's water to meet additional demands. While the farmer is compensated for any lost income, the city avoids the costs associated with implementing additional water supply projects. Drought management allows for essential water needs to be met during water-short periods while other potential uses of water, that are not as high a priority, are curtailed. Those measures provide the ability to stretch water supplies to avoid running out of water during drought conditions. It is important to have drought contingency measures in place in case they are needed, and they are a required component of good water resource management. page top close window Role of State Government By requiring actual reduction in per capita use as a condition of receiving state revolving funds, all providers would have an incentive to increase their systems' efficiency and to develop conservation programs that would result in real water use reductions by customers. The state, through the TWDB or TCEQ needs to define goals that can be achieved by local utilities and incorporate these goals into the water planning process. page top close window Xeriscaping Xeriscaping is a method of landscaping which includes the use of plants that are native to your area or are naturally drought resistant, landscape renovation to reduce water use, and more efficient irrigation. Xeriscaping is becoming more popular as a way of saving water at home. Gardeners and landscapers looking for plants that won't drain the monthly water bill can find help on two CD-ROMs. Or visit WEWAC's website to learn more. Visit the Texas A&M; website for a full report on water efficient landscaping in Texas. page top close window Irrigation Techniques Spray irrigation is a common irrigation method where water is shot from high-pressure sprayers onto crops. Because water is shot high into the air onto crops, some water is lost to evaporation. Drip irrigation is becoming accepted as a more efficient means of irrigating crops. It is a low-pressure method of irrigation and less water is lost to evaporation than high-pressure spray irrigation. For a more complete list and description of irrigation techniques, visit the USGS website. page top close window