Water Conservation ~ Water Forum

Saving Water, Securing the Future

Water Meter Installation

Member efforts over the past decade have helped steadily reduce regional water use.

The forum’s Water Conservation Element helps meet the region’s water supply needs by minimizing the need for increased groundwater pumping and use of surface water. As part of the Water Forum Agreement, each water supplier in the region committed to implementing a comprehensive water conservation plan with specific Best Management Practices (BMPs) and implementation criteria.

In 2006, the average per capita consumption of water in the Sacramento region was 252 gallons per day. By 2010, consumption was down to 218 gallons per day – a 15 percent drop. Regionally in 2011, the Gallons Per Capita Daily (GPCD) was 222 and in 2012 it was 232.

RWA Partnership Helping Purveyors: RWA’s innovative Water Efficiency Program helps water agencies fulfill their commitments to implement their conservation plans. Water Forum staff partner with RWA to give valuable technical support to purveyor members. RWA and Water Forum staff and consultants are providing expert help on reporting BMP implementation and meter retrofits. These efforts are key to preserving purveyors’ eligibility for State funding.

Water Forum BMPs At-a-Glance (partial list)

Water Audits and Incentive Programs
Plumbing Retrofits
Meter Retrofits
Landscape Conservation Requirements
Public Information and School Education
Commercial/Industrial Conservation
Water Waste Prohibition
Ultra Low Flow Toilet Replacement

20×2020 Vision: With 2009 legislation demanding a 20 percent reduction of per capita water use by 2020, the Water Forum is helping purveyors understand the new law and decide which of several compliance methods will work best for their circumstances.

Meter Retrofits: Water meters are not only mandated by law, they are also an important urban water management tool, providing purveyors and customers with vital information about water use and leaks. These retrofits have greatly increased the amount of metered connections with 281,000 metered connections or 61% of all connections in 2010 compared to 107,000 metered connections or 29% in 2001. The region is on track to meter all connections by 2025.

Leak detection efforts: In addition to offering rebate programs for toilets and washing machines, member utilities have ramped up their leak detection programs. Field crews for the Sacramento Suburban Water District and the cities of Folsom and Sacramento have implemented leak detection routines to find and fix leaky pipes. Customers can also request checks on landscape irrigation and plumbing for potential leaks.

Click here for a series of short videos & tools to help your landscape survive the drought and thrive in the future!

RWA’s Be Water Smart: Be Water Smart is an award-winning public outreach- and school education-focused program sponsored by the Regional Water Authority’s Water Efficiency Program and 20 water providers. These water providers in Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado counties plus the City of West Sacramento are working together to help their customers use water efficiently.

Be Water Smart was established with the idea that water providers could maximize resources and customer services through collaboration. Since 2001, the program has provided a forum for participants to: