Water Efficiency for Instream Flow: Making the Link in Practice
Author: Alliance for Water Efficiency, American Rivers, Environmental Law Institute (2011)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description
Availability: Publicly Available
Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Delivery system efficiency, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency
Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Demand reduction, In stream flows, Land and environment, Reputation, Risk and Resilience, Water Supply, Water supply reliability
Water Efficiency for Instream Flow: Making the Link in Practice examines the potential for linking water efficiency efforts to improving instream flows within the Colorado River Basin. The report concludes that improving water efficiency can allow for population and economic growth without requiring a large investment in new or expanded water supplies or wastewater. It also concludes that environment and state regulatory requirements can drive water efficiency efforts. The report includes a qualitative discussion on the following benefits: reduced surface or groundwater withdrawals, operational flexibility for water utility, and instream flows.