Integrating_Water_Efficiency_and_Conservation_into_the_Local_Water_Supply_Plan

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Integrating Water Efficiency and Conservation into the Local Water
Supply Plan

A local water supply plan (LWSP) is an assessment of a water system's current and
future water needs and its ability to meet those needs. By understanding current and
future needs, communities will be better equipped to manage water supplies and plan
for water supply system improvements. As the population in North Carolina continues to
increase, communities should make it a high priority to ensure that their customers are
conservation minded and that their water system is operating at peak efficiency.
Although used interchangeably, water efficiency and conservation can have different
contextual meanings. Simply put, water efficiency should be thought of as the practice
of optimizing the use of available water supply, and water conservation as behavioral
practices that result in consumption reduction. The LWSP can be a very useful tool in
measuring how well a water system and its customers are managing available water
supply.

As a result of Session Law 2011-374, water systems must now include a plan to reduce
long-term per capita water demand within their jurisdiction as part of their LWSP
submittal. As a matter of practicality, the per capita water demand can be calculated by
using a water system’s annual residential demand and year-round population (annual
demand in gallons per day divided by year-round population). The N.C. Division of
Water Resources has modified the LWSP to help water systems better track their long-
term per capita water demand (see statement below). A chart in Section 5 of the LWSP
will track long-term per capita water demand based on year-round population and water
demand projections entered by the user. The chart will also be equipped to show a
history of per capita water demand. By integrating this feature into the LWSP, systems
can see how well their efficiency and conservation plans are working. Although there is
no requirement to implement a specific BMP, water systems should consider
implementing one or more of the BMPs in this manual, or devise their own BMPs. It
should be noted that water savings from the implementation of a particular BMP will not
be the same for all systems. Factors such as implementation choice(s), condition of
assets, maintenance programs, and customer behaviors will affect the level of water
savings realized by each system.

There are several BMPs considered fundamental to an effective water efficiency and
conservation plan; however, conducting regular water audits is foundational to an
effective plan. Conducting an initial water audit allows a water system to determine
baseline efficiencies and set realistic goals for improvement. Subsequent water audits
enable a water system to measure milestone achievements and performance of BMPs
implemented. Once a water system begins conducting water audits, evaluations can be
performed to determine which BMPs are most effective at minimizing losses and
reducing long-term per capita water demand.

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Regardless of which BMPs a water system implements, there must be a reduction in the
long-term per capita water demand. By implementing water efficiency and conservation
practices, communities will be better positioned to meet the future water supply needs
of their customers.

The statement associated with the tracking chart in the LWSP reads as follows:
Your long-term water demand is xx gallons per capita per day. What demand
management practices do you plan to implement to reduce the per capita water demand
(i.e. conduct regular water audits, implement a plumbing retrofit program, employ
practices such as rainwater harvesting or reclaimed water)? If these practices are
covered elsewhere in your plan, or there are no changes from a previous submittal,
indicate where the practices are discussed or “No Changes” here.

For comments or questions regarding Integrating Water Efficiency and Conservation
into the Local Water Supply Plan, please contact the water efficiency specialist of the
Water Supply Planning Branch at 919-707-9002.