By Chris Hancock and Heather Cooley, Pacific Institute  

Communities across the United States are facing growing pressures on water systems, including climate change, population growth, aging infrastructure, and rising energy and treatment costs. Water efficiency offers significant and often underutilized opportunities to strengthen resilience across all regions and sectors. Here are five ways efficiency strengthens your community: 

1. Delivers multiple benefits while using less water

Water efficiency measures reduce water use without affecting the services and benefits water provides, while also saving energy, lowering utility costs, and protecting the environment. 

2. Reduces energy use and treatment costs 

Saving water also saves the energy needed for pumping and treatment, lowering water and wastewater treatment costs. 

3. Defers or eliminates costly new infrastructure 

By reducing overall demand, efficiency can help avoid the need for expensive new supply projects. 

4. Supports affordability 

Efficiency can help mitigate rising water, wastewater, and energy bills, particularly for lower-income households. 

5. Protects natural systems 

Efficiency strengthens environmental resilience by protecting rivers, wetlands, and groundwater systems stressed by overuse.

Water efficiency is a proven strategy for sustaining communities when supplies are constrained and for building long-term water resilience. Learn more in the Pacific Institute report, “Untapped Potential: An Assessment of Municipal and Industrial Water Efficiency Potential in the United States.”