21 Multi-Benefit Resources

Bringing Water and Land Use Together

Author: Local Government Commission (2019)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Groundwater Management, Groundwater storage, Runoff conveyance, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Transfer

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Community resilience, Flooding, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Water Supply

Bringing Water and Land Use Together discusses Integrated Regional Water Management. This strategy is similar to the multi-benefit framework and integrates multiple groups of stakeholders to find mutually beneficial solutions to water management issues. The report highlights case studies throughout California that have adopted different integrated management approaches. It provides lists of recommendations for different stakeholders attempting to engage in integrated management.

The Untapped Potential of California’s Water Supply: Efficiency, Reuse, and Stormwater – Issue Brief

Author: Gleick et al., Pacific Institute, NRDC (2014)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Commercial or industrial reuse, Delivery system efficiency, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Indirect potable reuse, Infiltration and filtration, On site nonpotable reuse, Runoff storage, Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Energy, Energy for water extraction, GHG emissions, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Increased pressures on Californias water supply, including from population growth and intense periods of drought exacerbated by climate change, are leading to the overuse of surface water and groundwater. But with existing technology and conservation methods, the state can take vital steps to improve its resilience to drought and plan for a more sustainable water future. This issue brief, produced in collaboration with the Natural Resources Defense Council, is a statewide analysis of the potential for improved efficiency in agricultural and urban water use, water reuse and recycling, and increased capturing of local rainwater.

The value of public and private green spaces under water restrictions

Author: MacDonald et al., (2010)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Quantitative benefits

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation

The value of public and private green spaces under water restrictions analyzes the economic impact of outdoor watering restrictions on private and public landscapes. The results show that outdoor watering restrictions do not have an impact on the value of private landscapes, but may have implications for public landscape usage.

Co-benefits Assessment Methodology for Water Savings

Author: California Air Resources Board (2018)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Agricultural land management, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Environmental Remediation, Land Management, Low impact landscaping, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Demand reduction, Supply augmentation, Water Supply

Co-benefits Assessment Methodology for Water Savings presents three different water co-benefit assessment methods for three types of projects from the California Climate Investments. The three project types are agricultural irrigation, residential, commercial, or institutional water efficiency, and urban landscaping. The assessment methods are presented from a California perspective, however, the same methods could be applied in different locations with appropriate modifications for climate and other relevant factors.

The estimated impact of California’s urban water conservation mandate on electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

Author: Spang, Holguin, & Loge, (2018)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: End use energy, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Energy for water extraction, Energy for water treatment, GHG emissions, Land and environment

In The estimated impact of California’s urban water conservation mandate on electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, Spang et al. use the reported water conservation data to assess how the water utilities have responded to the 2015 California water reduction mandate and to estimate the electricity savings and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions associated with reduced operation of urban water infrastructure systems.

Embedded Energy in Water Studies 1, 2 and 3

Author: California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) (2010)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Brackish desalination, Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Centralized wastewater treatment, Commercial or industrial reuse (on-site), Delivery system efficiency, Desalination, Direct potable reuse, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Flood Control, Groundwater extraction, Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, Groundwater storage, Indirect potable reuse, Industrial treatment (on-site), Seawater desalination, Surface Water Storage, Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Wastewater Treatment, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse, Water Transfer

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: End use energy, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Energy for water extraction, Energy for water treatment

CPUCs Embedded Energy in Water Studies provide a California statewide assessment of energy use by the water sector and energy use by water customers. There are three separate reports, each including supporting appendices and materials, that document methodology, data collection, case studies, and findings of the investigation.

Impacts of Urban Water Conservation Strategies on Energy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Health: Southern California as a Case Study

Author: Sokolow et al., (2016)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Desalination, Groundwater Management, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage, salt water desalination, Surface Water Storage, Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse, Water Transfer

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Demand reduction, End use energy, Energy, Energy for water extraction, Energy for water treatment, GHG emissions, Health and safety, Land and environment, People and Community, Supply augmentation, Urban heat island, Water supply reliability

Impacts of Urban Water Conservation Strategies on Energy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Health: Southern California as a Case Study expands on a 2014 health impact assessment of California’s urban water conservation strategies to evaluate the impacts of two possible conservation approaches: banning landscape irrigation and expanding alternative water sources (e.g. recycled water). Findings show that expanding alternative water sources can have a highly positive impact on public health.

Valuing the Environmental Benefits of Urban Water Conservation: Final Report

Author: Coughlin et al., Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California at Berkeley, California Urban Watershed Council (2006)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Economic valuation

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Demand reduction, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Energy for water extraction, Energy for water treatment, Flooding, GHG emissions, Habitat and biodiversity, In stream flows, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community, Recreation, Water quality, Water Supply

Valuing the Environmental Benefits of Urban Water Conservation Final Report presents a method for valuing the environmental benefits of water conservation and efficiency. Water savings of a particular water conservation strategy are represented by the reduction in water demand, as well as the resulting co-benefits, including enhanced fish habitats, increased recreational opportunities, and improved water quality as a result of wetland filtration. The report provides a methodology for monetizing these environmental benefits so as to provide utilities with a method for comparing the benefits and costs of various best management practices.

CUWCC Direct Utility Avoided Cost Model and Environmental Benefits Model Download Page

Author: Alliance for Water Efficiency (2007)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Economic valuation

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Delivery system efficiency, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Affordability, Demand reduction, Energy, Local economy, People and Community, Water Supply

The CUWCC Direct Utility Avoided Cost Model and Environmental Benefits Model is a tool developed by the California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC) in order to improve water use efficiency. The model uses the avoided cost economic valuation method in order to estimate the potential savings of water use efficiency improvements. The resource provides a downloadable version of the valuation tool, the methodology, and examples of the tool being utilized.

WaterSET

Author: Hazen & Sawyer, (2016)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Delivery system efficiency, Desalination, Direct potable reuse, Groundwater Management, Indirect potable reuse, Seawater desalination, Surface Water Storage, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse, Water Transfer

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Demand reduction, Supply augmentation, Water Supply

WaterSET is a triple bottom line assessment tool developed by WRF (Reuse-14-03) that compares different water supply options to direct potable reuse (DPR). The report, ‘Methodology for a Comprehensive Analysis (Triple Bottom Line) of Alternative Water Supply Projects Compared to Direct Potable Reuse, describes the methodology behind the WaterSET tool. While the WaterSET tool is more oriented towards urban contexts, many of the principles and benefits associated with the water supplies assessed in Reuse-14-03 are relevant to agricultural contexts (Reuse-16-06). The report and tools developed as part of Reuse-14-03 were recently released and are currently being reviewed by the Reuse-16-06 project team.

Climatic consequences of adopting drought-tolerant vegetation over Los Angeles as a response to California drought

Author: Vahmani & Ban-Weiss, (2016)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Low impact landscaping, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Demand reduction, Extreme events, Health and safety, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Urban heat island, Water Supply

Climatic consequences of adopting drought tolerant vegetation over Los Angeles as a response to California drought utilized a regional climate model to analyze the impacts of drought-tolerant vegetation in Los Angeles. The results revealed that drought-tolerant vegetation contributed to a daytime warming of 1.9 degrees Celsius, largely due to decreases in irrigation, and a nighttime cooling of 3.2 degrees Celsius, due to differences in soil thermodynamics and heat exchange. The report concludes that the greater magnitude of the nighttime cooling could counterbalance the warming effects during the day.

Water conservation benefits of urban heat mitigation

Author: Vahmani & Jones, (2017)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Runoff storage, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Demand reduction, Energy, Health and safety, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Secondary energy demand, System resilience, Urban heat island, Water Supply

Water conservation benefits of urban heat mitigation examines urban heat mitigation strategies, such as cool roofs, and the impacts on water conservation in California. The study shows that while cool roofs provide significant cooling benefits and life cycle cost savings, they also provide other water-related benefits including decreased outdoor water use by reducing evaporation and irrigation practices. The report argues that cool roofs provide a solution for multiple sectors within California.

OneWaterSF

Author: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) (2018)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Commercial or industrial reuse, Delivery system efficiency, Direct potable reuse, Indirect potable reuse, On site nonpotable reuse, Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Energy, Flooding, Land and environment, People and Community, Water quality, Water Supply

OneWaterSF is an integrated systems approach adopted by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) that aims to provide greater water and energy resource reliability and resiliency, water infrastructure optimization, and contributions to the livability and sustainability of San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.The source contains examples of OneWaterSF programs in San Francisco, including a Water Reuse Program, a Resource Recovery and Solar Energy Program, a Stormwater Management Ordinance, and Westside Recycled Water Project and San Francisco Groundwater Project. The benefits cited in these projects and programs include water and energy savings, stormwater management, restoration of watersheds and ecosystems, improvements to community aesthetics, and increased educational opportunities.

Integrated Urban Water Model (IUWM)

Author: One Water Solutions Institute, Colorado State University (N/A)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: On site nonpotable reuse, Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Demand reduction, Water Supply

Integrated Urban Water Model (IUWM) is a planning tool for urban planners and water managers considering water savings from indoor and outdoor conservation through utilization of alternative water sources including greywater, stormwater, and reclaimed water. The tool utilizes lot size, land use designations, climate information, and soil characteristics to evaluate the impact of land use configurations, climate changes, conservation programs, and alternative water sources on water demands.

Energy Down the Drain: The Hidden Costs of California’s Water Supply

Author: Cohen, Nelson, & Wolff, NRDC, Pacific Institute (2004)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Delivery system efficiency, On site nonpotable reuse, Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Air quality, Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Energy, Energy production, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Energy Down the Drain: The Hidden Costs of California’s Water Supply analyzes the connections between power and water resources in California. The report presents several key findings: 1) water conservation lowers energy use and energy bills, 2) water recycling is a highly energy efficient water source, 3) retiring agricultural land may increase energy use if the water is transferred to other agricultural or urban uses, 4) Retiring agricultural land can save energy if the water is dedicated to the environment, and 5) diverting water above dams costs an enormous amount of power and money. Based on these findings it is recommended that decision makers better integrate energy into water policy decision-making, as well as give water conservation higher priority.

Greenhouse Gas and Energy Co-Benefits of Water Conservation

Author: Maas, Polis Project (2009)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Quantitative benefits

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Demand reduction, End use energy, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Energy for water extraction, Energy for water treatment, GHG emissions, Water Supply

Greenhouse Gas and Energy Co-Benefits of Water Conservation examines the multiple benefits that are produced from the “water-energy nexus”. The benefits include indirect energy savings from municipal water and wastewater provision, indirect and direct energy use, and embedded energy for chemical manufacturing. The report includes example case studies conducted on various scales (program, municipal, provincial, and community levels), as well as provides methodologies for the quantification of the cited energy benefits.

Water-use efficiency and productivity: rethinking the basin approach

Author: Gleick, Smith, & Cooley, (2011)
Geography: Global
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Paywall

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Delivery system efficiency, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Water Conservation and Efficiency

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Drinking water quality, End use energy, Energy, Risk and Resilience, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Water-use efficiency and productivity: rethinking the basin approach is a response to a paper in Water International. The paper highlights major components of inefficient water use that were ignored, examines water productivity rather than just water efficiency, and discusses co-benefits. The co-benefits of water-use efficiency examined are improved water quality, increased production, improved water supply reliability, decreased energy demands, and reduced or delayed infrastructure investments.

Putting Green to Work: Economic Recovery Investments for Clean and Reliable Water

Author: American Rivers (2010)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Centralized wastewater treatment, Delivery system efficiency, Distributed Stormwater Infrastructure, Flood Control, Infiltration or filtration, Land Management, On site nonpotable reuse, Retention basin, Riparian buffers, Runoff conveyance, Runoff storage, Storm drains and pipes, Stream protection and restoration, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Wastewater Treatment, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse, Water Transfer, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Aesthetics, Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Drinking water quality, Energy, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, In stream flows, Land and environment, People and Community, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Urban heat island, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Putting Green to Work: Economic Recovery Investments for Clean and Reliable Water categorizes “green” and “bright green” projects that provide multiple environmental and economic benefits, including improved water quality and quantity, reduced runoff and flooding, groundwater recharge, improved habitats, reduced energy use, and overall water supply reliability. The report focuses primarily on green infrastructure and demand management projects, as well as leveraging natural capital for water management, including examples from specific states and cities with a focus on funding projects. The report provides a qualitative discussion of the multiple benefits.

Adapting to Change: Utility Systems and Declining Flows

Author: California Urban Water Agencies (2017)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Centralized wastewater treatment, Direct potable reuse, Flood Control, Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, On site nonpotable reuse, Storm drains and pipes, Urban and industrial nonpotable reuse, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Wastewater Treatment, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Ambient water quality, Demand reduction, Drinking water quality, Energy, Energy for wastewater, Extreme events, In stream flows, Land and environment, Regulatory compliance, Resource recovery, Risk and Resilience, System resilience, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

Adapting to Change: Utility Systems and Declining Flows explores the consequences of reduced indoor flows related to conservation on urban water supply systems in California. The report illustrates that demand management through water use efficiency can have many co-benefits including improved drought resilience, improved in-stream flows, reduced or deferred cost of infrastructure, and reduced energy costs; declining flows, however, can negatively impact water distribution, conveyance, wastewater treatment, and recycled water policy. Specific examples and details are presented within the report, including survey and interview data.

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.

California Water Plan, Update 2009, Volume 2: Resource Management Strategies

Author: California Department of Water Resources (2009)
Geography: Western U.S.
Level of Detail: Decision support tool, Qualitative description

Availability: Publicly Available

Water Management Strategies: Agricultural efficiency, Agricultural land management, Brackish desalination, Centralized Stormwater Infrastructure, Centralized wastewater treatment, Delivery system efficiency, Desalination, Direct potable reuse, Drywells, Groundwater extraction, Groundwater Management, Groundwater recharge, Groundwater storage, Indirect potable reuse, Land Management, Recharge area protection, Reforestation and forest conservation, Riparian buffers, Seawater desalination, Spreading basins, Storm drains and pipes, Stream protection and restoration, Surface Water Storage, Urban indoor efficiency, Urban outdoor efficiency, Wastewater Treatment, Water Conservation and Efficiency, Water Reuse, Water Transfer, Wetland protection and restoration

Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Demand reduction, Extreme events, Flooding, Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, People and Community, Recreation, Risk and Resilience, Supply augmentation, System resilience, Water quality, Water Supply, Water supply reliability

The California Water Plan presents a guide on water management strategies that can provide multiple benefits both regionally and statewide in California. The management strategies are organized by goals, such as reducing water demand, improving operational efficiency, or improving water quality, and the benefits are categorized under water supply, drought preparedness, water quality, operational flexibility, flood impacts, environmental benefits, energy benefits, recreation, and groundwater overdraft risk. The report also includes guidance on the quantitative analysis of multiple benefits for policymakers and water resource managers.