The primary beneficiaries from water efficiency (not listed in any order of preference):
(a) water utility (b) wastewater utility
(c) customers (community) (d) environment
(e) energy utility
(f) climate change (reduction in green house gases (GHG)).
(g) other
The Guide will focus specifically on the benefits to the water utility from the perspective of a water utility planner. As the reader will find, considerations of the other beneficiaries may be discussed.
Both ‘quantifiable’ or measurable benefits and ‘non-quantifiable’ benefits are presented. Detailed description of methods for accounting for direct benefits (cost savings) from water efficiency programmes is presented in Chapter 7.
1.3.1 Summary of water utility benefits
The quantifiable benefits accruing to a water utility through the efficient use of water may include:
(a) A reduction in operation and maintenance expenses incurred by water and wastewater transmission and treatment facilities due to the lower use of energy for pumping and reduction in the use of treatment chemicals;
(b) Deferral or downsizing of capital facilities, as lowering the rate of increase in demand can postpone construction of new facilities or avoid a water supply or treatment capacity increment.
The types of capital water supply facilities most likely affected by water conservation include:
• Water storage reservoirs
• Raw water transmission facilities
• Water and wastewater treatment plants
• Treated water storage.
Water conservation can ‘expand’ or ‘stretch’ the capacity of treatment facilities, benefiting both the utility and the community (Box 1.1). The most significant long-term cost savings from efficient water management are achieved when utilities reduce the size of their planned treatment plants due to water conservation. Operation and maintenance costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions are also reduced on an ongoing basis.
The non-quantifiable benefits to a water utility may include:
• Enhanced stream flows (less withdrawal);
• Improved source water quality (less treatment required);
• Increased labor efficiency (focused efforts on most beneficial means to deliver water, e.g., less staff required to maintain expanded infrastructure); and
• Reduction in storm water flows from reduced irrigation run off.
A detailed description of benefits that may be derived from using water more efficiently is presented in Chapter 3.
1.3.2 Summary of wastewater utility benefits
Wastewater utilities can also benefit from reduced indoor water use resulting in reduced wastewater disposal. Their operation and maintenance costs can be reduced through lower use of energy for pumping and reduced chemical usage in wastewater collection, treatment and disposal. However, most
wastewater capital facilities are designed for peak wet weather flow, which is not significantly affected by a reduction in water use as would be the case with dry weather flow. Wastewater disposal facilities involving land disposal are an exception to this rule, as lower flows will have an impact on such facilities. In the latter case, volume reduction through conservation means that the area of effluent holding ponds and other land requirements will be lessened, thus allowing savings on capital facilities costs.
1.3.3 Summary of customer benefits
Benefits from increased water efficiency can also extend beyond the utility. Customers who save water may receive more reliable water service, lower water bills and, possibly, lower sewerage bills if sewerage service charges are based on water use. Customers who reduce hot water usage (e.g., from installing more efficient showerheads, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.) may also lower their energy bills. Lower demands on local rivers and streams can also provide improved source water quality for non-potable domestic uses (washing), aesthetics and improved recreational opportunities.
BOX 1.1 EUROPEAN COMMISSION: A BLUEPRINT TO SAFEGUARD EUROPE’S WATER RESOURCES
‘Water is essential for human life, nature and the economy. It is permanently renewed but it is also finite and cannot be made or replaced with other resources. Freshwater constitutes only about 2% of the water on the planet and competing demands may lead to an estimated 40% global water supply shortage by 2030. (2030 Water Resources Group, 2009).
The European Union (EU)’s water policy has been successful in helping to protect scarce water resources. The Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources aims to tackle the obstacles which hamper action to safeguard Europe’s water resources and is based on an extensive evaluation of the existing policy. The Blueprint is based on a wealth of information and analysis including the European Environment Agency (EEA) State of Water report, the Commission assessment of the Member States River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) and Review of the Policy on Water Scarcity and Droughts, (European Commission, 2011a) and the Fitness Check of EU Freshwater Policy (European Commission, 2012). Moreover it is accompanied by an Impact Assessment.1The Blueprint is based on extensive public consultations both in the framework of its development and under the Fitness Check which has involved the general public, stakeholders, Member States as well as other EU institutions and bodies.2The Blueprint recognises that the aquatic environments differ greatly across the EU and therefore does not propose any one size fits all solution, in line with the principle of subsidiarity. It emphasises key themes which include: improving land use, addressing water pollution, increasing water efficiency and resilience, and improving governance by those involved in managing water resources.’
Source: Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, The Council, The European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions (2011), http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/ blueprint/index_en.htm (accessed July 29, 2013)
1Commission Staff Working Document–Impact Assessment, accompanying the Communication‘Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources’which includes a full list of the studies that have fed into the Blueprint.
2European Parliament resolution of 3 July 2012 on‘The implementation of EU water legislation, ahead of a necessary overall approach to European water challenges’.
1.3.4 Summary of environmental benefits
The environment can benefit from lower withdrawals from water sources and lower wastewater discharges.
In some cases, water conservation activities can provide environmental benefits such as:
• Higher stream flows for fish and other aquatic species;
• Higher lake levels for recreational purposes;
• Reduced impacts on water quality at a source; and
• Reduced wastewater discharge that has a positive impact on receiving waters.
Enhanced aquatic environments can also provide direct socio-economic benefits such as improved or return to fishing industry and improved public health benefits where body contact with impaired water ways is commonplace.
1.3.5 Summary of energy utility and other benefits
Water and/or wastewater utility facilities are often one of the larger consumers for a local energy utility (if a separate organization). Energy utilities will benefit from reductions in peak demand, customer energy savings, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and so on. Benefits also accrue to other organizations, including storm water utilities, from reduced runoff direct to local streams and rivers from excess irrigation that can contain pollutants including pesticides and fertilizers.